Insights in Public Health: Data Highlights from the Hawai'i Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Links Between Academic Achievement and Health Behaviors.

Abstract

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is administered biennially in odd years to public middle and high school students in Hawai'i. Data highlights are presented from Hawaii's 2017 high school survey results to enhance understanding of the relationship between health and academic achievement. This article reviews a select set of health-risk behaviors and their association with academic grades for Hawai'i public school students. The findings demonstrate that students who self-reported engaging in health protective behaviors also reported higher academic grades in school, while those who engaged in health-risk behaviors were more likely to report lower grades in school. This discussion can provide useful background information and benchmarks for research, policy, and local initiatives. It also supports the need for continued collaboration and a synergistic approach between education and health partners in Hawai'i in order to improve the health and academic achievement of our youth.