Our Vision - Healthy People

March 13, 2018  |  Youth Assessment Survey Results

4,376 student responses

The Ottawa County Youth Assessment Survey (YAS) is a locally developed teen survey that measures how many teens are engaged in a variety of both risky and beneficial behaviors that affect their health and well-being. The survey monitors how these behaviors increase, decrease or stay the same over time. A YAS has been conducted every two years (2005 - 2017) at grades 8, 10 and 12 in participating Ottawa County schools. The 2017 study includes 4,376 student responses from 11 school systems. 

“It’s too easy to look at statistics, numbers and charts and forget they represent people - in this case, our youth. Each percentage is made up of actual students in Ottawa County schools that have faces and families and friends,” said Marcia Mansaray, M.Sc., Epidemiologist with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health 

You're Invited - Join Us! Tuesday, May 1, 2018 9 - 10 a.m. for the public release of the 2017 Youth Assessment Survey results Register Here   Location Ottawa County Administrative Office 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive Main Conference Room

Importance of the YAS 

• Provides evidence-based information about what the biggest needs are (and aren’t) among Ottawa County teens going back to 2005.  
• Gives parents information they can use to guide their teens in becoming physically, emotionally and mentally healthy adults. 
• Helps local agencies, schools, faith-based organizations and parents focus their efforts on the most pressing and prevalent issues teens say they face.
• Over time, YAS results can help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions developed to address pressing and prevalent teen issues.

Event Contact
Marcia Mansaray, Epidemiologist
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
(616) 494-5598 or mmansaray@miottawa.org

Media Contact
Kristina Wieghmink, Communications Specialist
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
(616) 494-5597 or kwieghmink@miottawa.org

The YAS is a community study conducted by:

Arbor Circle
Greater Ottawa County United Way
Lakeshore Regional Entity
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Ottawa County Department of Public Health

Register at http://bit.ly/2E7tMws

See the 2015 YAS results at www.miOttawa.org/2015YAS or previous years (2005 - 2015) at www.miOttawa.org/healthdata.

Our team at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health exemplifies equity, integrity and excellence. Our vision is for healthy people. We work with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health. We are dedicated to preventing diseases and providing evidence-based public health programs and services. Public health has a vital role in all of our lives. It empowers communities with the necessary resources, knowledge and opportunities to make lasting change.

To learn more, visit www.miOttawa.org/miHealth or check out what we’ve been doing at www.miOttawa.org/AnnualHealthReports.

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