Talking About Youth Health in BC

AHS Key Findings (5-10 minutes)Present the Key Findings (power point slides 45 to 47)Top marks• Most BC youth are in good or excellent health• Serious injuries have declined• More students are wearing a seat belt than in 2003• Fewer youth are smoking• For the first time since 1992, the percentage of youth whoseriously thought about suicide decreased• Fewer youth are using alcohol and marijuanaRoom for improvement• 1 in 8 students did not access medical care when they thoughtthey needed it• Most youth reported feeling some stress or pressure in the past30 days• 1 in 5 females had contact with a stranger on the Internet whomade them feel unsafe• More youth reported using prescription pills without a doctor’sconsent than in 2003• Many students continue to face harassment and discrimination• At least half of youth did not eat the recommended daily portionsof fruits and vegetables• Lots of youth who are a healthy weight think they need to lose orgain weight• 1 in 10 students go to bed hungry because there is not enoughmoney to buy foodMove into a discussion of what is next and/or how the information from the day will or could be used.Possible questions for discussion:• What was the most surprising thing you learned?• What were you not surprised to hear?• What are some factors that protect a young person from negative health outcomes, even if they have riskfactors in their lives?16McCreary Centre Society