Risk Behaviors Overview – Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/SHI/index.htm

• Youth Risk Behaviors – Among 5-24 year-olds, only four causes account for nearly three-quarters of all mortality and a great amount of morbidity and social problems.  Motor vehicle crashes cause 29% of all deaths among this age group (40% of these are alcohol-related), homicide causes 20%, suicide causes 12%, and other injuries (such as from falls, fires, drowning) cause 11%. Although not characterized in these mortality statistics, every year nearly one quarter of all new HIV infections, one quarter of all new infections with other sexually transmitted diseases, and nearly one million pregnancies occur among our nation's teenagers. Only three types of behavior contribute to the mortality and morbidity previously described: (1) behaviors that result in unintentional and intentional injuries, (2) alcohol and other drug use, and (3) sexual behaviors.
• Adult Risk Behaviors – About two-thirds of all mortality and a great amount of morbidity, suffering, and rising health care costs among adults result only from three causes. Heart disease causes 34% of all deaths, cancer causes 25%, and stroke causes 7%. Again, only three categories of behavior contribute enormously to these causes:  (1) tobacco use, (2) dietary patterns, and (3) physical inactivity.
• Adolescent and Adult Risk Behaviors Combined – Thus, only six types of behavior cause the most serious problems that afflict the United States. These behaviors usually are established during youth; persist into adulthood; are interrelated; and are preventable. In addition to causing serious health problems, these behaviors simultaneously cause many of the educational and social problems that confront the nation, including failure to complete high school, unemployment, and crime.
• Physical Activity – Physical inactivity and poor diet account for an estimated 300,000 deaths per year, second only to tobacco use among preventable causes of death. Physical activity reduces the risk of premature mortality in general, and of coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus in particular. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age help lay the basis for being regularly active throughout life. Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 years do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity, and participation in physical activity declines strikingly as children age. Low levels of physical activity among young people may be one factor responsible for the steep increases in childhood obesity seen in recent years: the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years.
• Injury – In the United States, injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for people aged 1 to 34 years. Almost 75% of all deaths among adolescents aged 10-24 years are attributed to injuries from only four causes: motor vehicle crashes (30%), all other unintentional injuries (10%), homicide (20%), and suicide (13%).  These injuries occur at home, on the roads, at work, and at school.  Highly associated with these injuries are adolescent behaviors such as physical fights, carrying weapons, not using seatbelts and drinking alcohol. In fact, alcohol is linked to a wide variety of injury causes including drowning, motor vehicle crashes, homicide and suicide.
• Poor Nutrition – Poor diet and physical inactivity account for an estimated 300,000 deaths per year, second only to tobacco use among preventable causes of death. Healthy eating is associated with reduced risk for many diseases, including the three leading causes of death: (1) heart disease, (2) cancer, and (3) stroke. Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, and iron deficiency anemia. Most young people are not following Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations: of U.S. youth aged 6-19, 67% exceed dietary guidelines recommendations for fat intake, 72% exceed recommendations for saturated fat intake, and only 18% eat the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables (when fried potatoes and potato chips are excluded). Poor eating habits among young people may be one factor responsible for the steep increases in childhood obesity seen in recent years: the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years.
• Sexual Behaviors – Unprotected sexual intercourse and multiple sex partners place young people at risk for HIV infection, other STDs, and pregnancy. Each year, approximately three million cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur among teenagers and approximately one million teenagers become pregnant. In 1997, 48% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse, 16% of high school students had had four or more sex partners during their lifetime, and 43% of sexually active high school students did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse.
• Prevent Alcohol & Drug Use – The use of alcohol and other drugs has an enormous impact on the physical, mental and social health of the nation's youth.  Alcohol use is a factor in approximately half of all deaths from motor vehicle crashes and from intentional injuries. Alcohol use has also been linked to physical fights, academic and occupational problems, and illegal behavior. Long-term alcohol misuse is associated with liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage. Dependence on alcohol and other drugs is also associated with psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety or antisocial personality disorder. Drug use contributes directly and indirectly to the HIV epidemic, and alcohol and drug use contribute markedly to infant morbidity and mortality.  Unfortunately, substance use among high school students is high, and in some cases increasing.  Since 1991, current use of alcohol has remained steady at about half of all high school students with nearly one third of all 9th-12th grade students reporting episodic heavy drinking. Current marijuana use has nearly doubled from 14.7% in 1991 to 26.2% in 1997.
• Prevent Tobacco Use – Tobacco use, including cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smokeless tobacco use, is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Each year smoking causes more than 400,000 premature deaths and 5 million years of potential life lost.  The estimated direct and indirect costs associated with smoking in the United States exceed $68 billion annually. Approximately 80% of tobacco use occurs for the first time among young people less than 18 years of age. In 1997, 36% of high schools students reported current cigarette use and 22% reported current cigar use. In addition, 9% of high school students and 21% of white male high school students reported current smokeless tobacco use.

This page was last updated on 10/09/03

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