NEWS RELEASE: Ottawa County study reveals the challenges youth face

Our Vision - Healthy People

Did you miss the YAS release last month?  

2019 Ottawa County Youth Assessment Survey (YAS)

Full Report  I  Special Topics  I  FAQs  I  New Website!

The YAS provides evidence-based information about what the biggest needs are (and aren’t) among Ottawa County teens

Notable data from the 2019 YAS:

• More teens report depression than any previous survey
• 1 in 5 teens seriously thought about suicide in the past year
• 12th graders who report using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs in their lifetime were between 14 and 15 years of age when they first tried
• Girls are 2x more likely than boys to report being bullied electronically
• 1 in 3 teens say they have seen or accessed internet pornography in the past month

"The YAS is a rich source of valuable information about our youth going back to 2005,"said Marcia Mansaray, deputy health administrator, Ottawa County Department of Public Health. "The YAS data allow us to monitor the attitudes and behaviors associated with health both now and as our youth become adults. When parents, teachers, youth leaders, health care organizations and others use these findings to develop youth programs, apply for grant funds or begin conversations, we move toward a vision of healthy youth – and a Healthy Ottawa."

New questions in 2019:

• Among those who saw someone being pushed, yelled at, or hit by a person they were dating or going out with during the past 12 months: They did something else.
• Tried to quit using all nicotine products in the past 12 months.
• My friends feel it would not be wrong or only a little bit wrong for me to use electronic vapor products or e-cigarettes.
• My parent/guardian feels it would not be wrong or only a little bit wrong for me to use electronic vapor products or e-cigarettes.
• Bought an electronic vapor product from the store.
• Got an electronic product on the Internet.
• Gave someone money to buy an electronic vapor product
• Borrowed an electronic vapor product from someone else.
• Gave money to a legal age (18+) person to buy an electronic vapor product.
• Have taken an electronic vapor product from a store or another person.
• Have been given an electronic vapor product by my parent/guardian or a friends parent/guardian.
• Drank an energy drink three or more times per day in a week.
• Average Stress.
• Pornography access/use.
• Perception of pornography.
• Survey effectiveness at getting at student issues.
• Student interest in survey results.

Learn more and find previous YAS reports at OttawaCountyYouth.org

2019 Full Report  I  Special Topics  I  FAQs  I  New Website!

Contacts:
Kristina Wieghmink, public information officer
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
(616) 494-5597 or kwieghmink@miottawa.org

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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