2023 Healthy Youth Survey Data Now Available!

By Kristen Haley, Public Health Education Liaison

In early March the state released the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) data. HYS is a statewide survey of adolescent and teenage students that identifies and tracks data and trends on youth health. It is a collaborative effort of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), and the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). The LCB participates as a lead agency as part of our work to keep alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor products out of the hands of minors.

The information collected by HYS is used for decision making on funding, rulemaking, and legislation and informs collaborative opportunities between LCB and our partners statewide.

In 2021, survey data showed a 50% decline in youth cannabis and alcohol past 30-day use among 10th graders. The 2023 results show numbers have remained stable since 2021, at 9% past 30-day alcohol use among 10th graders. It is worth noting that 12% of 10th graders reported riding in a car with a driver who had been drinking (may include peer, sibling, or parent/guardian).

For more information about preventing impaired driving, visit the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s Together We Get There campaign page. Check out the dashboard, factsheets, and QxQ to explore HYS data further.