What Works in Schools Makes a Difference | Adolescent and School Health
Why it matters
Over the last decade, there was an alarming increase in adolescents experiencing violence, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Did you know?
There have been decreases in behaviors such as condom use—and HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening—that help protect adolescents’ health.
What high school students experienced in 2023
Mental health and suicidality
Sexual behavior
Substance use
Violence
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013-2023
Message from the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) director
“The data are clear. They are calling on us to do everything in our power to create safer and more supportive school environments because without them, the youth mental health crisis will continue to be unresolved.”—Kathleen Ethier, PhD,
DASH Director
Also see
YRBSS is a set of surveys that track behaviors that can lead to poor health in high school students.
Schools play an important role in adolescent health
Schools reach millions of students every day and are critical partners in addressing adolescent health and well-being.
The What Works in Schools program uses proven public health strategies to protect the health of middle and high school students.
The program works by:
- Improving health education.
- Connecting young people to the health services they need.
- Making school environments safer and more supportive.
What schools can do
CDC’s What Works in Schools program equips schools with the tools and resources to:
Every student deserves a healthy start
CDC’s school-based data and programs are making a difference in students’ lives every day. However, only about 8% of the 26 million middle and high school students nationwide have access to the What Works in Schools program.
With added investments of less than $10 per student, CDC could expand the program to schools in all 50 states and 75 school districts. This expansion could improve young peoples’ mental health and could also reduce substance use, sexual risk behavior, and experiences of violence.
If more school districts implement What Works in Schools, more students could benefit. Specifically, students could have the protections of quality health education, increased access to needed health services, and safe and supportive environments.
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