McCreary Centre Society Adolescent Health Survey (AHS IV) January– May 2008

McCreary Centre Society McCreary Centre Society:  A non-profit, non-government organization committed to research, education and action on youth health  What we do:  Province wide survey of youth in school every 5 years  Special population surveys (street-involved youth, youth in custody, youth in alternate education programs Aboriginal youth, etc).  Youth engagement and leadership projects Project of…

McCreary Centre Society AHS IV  Funded by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development  No cost to School Districts  Survey designed with input from interested BC Ministries, consultation with stakeholders (including Parent Advisory Committees,School Trustees, Superintendents, academics, Statistics Canada, etc.) and youth

McCreary Centre Society What is the AHS?  A confidential, 146 item questionnaire  Administered by Public Health Nurses  Administered to students in Grades 7-12  Contains questions about physical and emotional health  Provides current, accurate information about what BC youth know, think and do about their health

McCreary Centre Society Who participates? All School Districts in BC are invited to participate: AHS IAHS IIAHS III # of students16,00026,00031,000 # of SD64%72%76%

McCreary Centre Society Who participates?  A randomly selected sample of classrooms is drawn by Statistics Canada  Schools determine which classes within the sample are surveyed  Parents are informed of the survey and can refuse to allow their child to participate  Students can choose not to participate at any point before or during the survey

McCreary Centre Society How is the data used?  A provincial report which highlights the state of youth health in BC including trends over the past 15years  16 regional reports  Topic specific facts sheets and reports  Inform policy and practise of federal and provincial government, educators, health professionals and others working with youth  Measure success of current policies

McCreary Centre Society Results from AHS III (2003)  18% drop in smoking since 1998  9 out of 10 youth report good or excellent health  Youth are waiting longer to have sex  Youth are waiting longer to try alcohol  Drinking and driving decreased significantly among licensed drivers  Majority of students participated in physical activity

McCreary Centre Society Results from AHS III (2003)  Less than half of youth always felt safe at school  More youth were overweight and obese  Internet safety was a concern, especially for girls  Binge drinking rates had risen  Suicide attempt rates had not changed in a decade

McCreary Centre Society Results from AHS III (2003)  The health of BC youth improved over the past decade  Youth who felt safe and connected at school, home and in their community had consistently better health, took fewer risks and had higher educational aspirations.

Youth who reported high level of school Connectedness (AHS III Results)

School connectedness & risk behaviour (AHS III Results)

Weekly participation in extracurricular activities (past year) (AHS III results)

Family connectedness & risk behaviours (AHS III Results)

McCreary Centre Society Why participate?  Comprehensive picture of the health of youth and ensures local youth are included in provincial picture  Provincial and regional reports and access to specific reports and fact sheets  Youth workshops using regional data and adult and youth presentations  Comprehensive data on youth health trends over the past 15 years  Continued participation will allow for trend data  Participating School Districts receive confidential set of data tables

McCreary Centre Society What’s the impact on schools?  Takes one class period (30-45 min)  Administered by Public Health Nurses  Administrations are scheduled between school and nurses  School holds a copy of questionnaire for parents to view  McCreary deals with all parent and student enquiries

McCreary Centre Society What's on the questionnaire?  Questions have been evaluated, tried and tested and many are used internationally  Questions address physical health, emotional health and health-risk behaviours  Questions address factors that promote healthy youth development (including connections with family, community and school)

McCreary Centre Society What topics are covered? Sports and leisure activities School achievement Nutrition Cultural connections Injury prevention Substance use Use of technology Sexual behaviour Family connectedness School safety Exercise and weight issues Chronic illness and disabilities Emotional health Peer relationships

McCreary Centre Society Who uses the AHS? “I have used the data in several Provincial Health Officer reports. As the only ongoing source of such data, the Adolescent Health Survey provides critical information for policy makers at all levels.” Dr. Perry Kendall Provincial Health Officer BC Ministry of Health

McCreary Centre Society Who uses the AHS? “.. It has become very apparent that we need credible, in depth research into the constantly shifting world of teenage culture, health beliefs, habits and trend characteristics. One of the most substantive tools we have at our disposal is the work of the McCreary Centre Society and the reports that they produce in the province every five years.” Jeff Stewart Middle School Principal Courtenay

McCreary Centre Society Who uses the AHS? “The data collected has been used by all of us in the businesses of caring for youth. McCreary has the best data of its kind in the world; we are fortunate to be in the place where it is generated. Our kids deserve no less.” Jim Latham Assistant Superintendent, Retired School District 33

McCreary Centre Society Who uses the AHS? “We have used the data to set new health goals and to tailor services at the local level.” Margaret Antolovich Manager, Community and Family Health Coast Garibaldi Vancouver Coastal health

McCreary Centre Society For more information on the Adolescent Health Survey Questions can be directed to: Annie Smith Managing Director McCreary Centre Society Tel: ext 225