Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Content Topic Results

This report suggests that ACEs are common in U.S. high school students and have significant associations with negative health conditions and risk behaviors.

"The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults: 1) behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; 5) unhealthy dietary behaviors; and 6) physical inactivity. In addition, YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by CDC and state and local school- based YRBSs conducted by state and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the 2009 national survey, 42 state surveys, and 20 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9-12."

This report indicates that persons who report having experienced IPV in their lifetimes also are more likely to report current adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors, underscoring the need for IPV assessment in healthcare settings. Additionally, the results indicate a need for secondary intervention strategies to address the health-related needs of IPV survivors and reduce their risk for subsequent adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors.