Communication Resources: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Health Survey Results

For the first time, CDC released new national data on the health behaviors among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) high school students. These new data were from a new report entitled, “Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12 – United States and Selected Sites, 2015,” published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report offer insights into the health risks and outcomes of LGB high school students. The report includes the first national estimates of more than 100 health behaviors that put LGB students at risk for health consequences. Report findings indicate that LGB students experience substantially higher levels of physical and sexual violence and bullying than other students.

These data are from the national 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which is a part of CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). The YRBSS is the only surveillance system designed to monitor a wide range of priority health risk behaviors – unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco alcohol, and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; physical inactivity; obesity; and asthma – among high school students at the national, state, and local levels.

The 2015 YRBS results are now available on the YRBS Web site and additional report information can be found here.

Supporting materials include:

Social Media

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Media Materials

• Digital Press Kit
• CDC Press Release
• NCHHSTP News Room

Multimedia

• Graphics

Related Communication Resources

• CDC.gov Feature
• YRBS Overview
• Medscape Commentary: Health Risks Faced by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth