The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is requesting $112,500.00 to implement Component 3 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity CDC-RFA-DP-24-0139, which includes the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and School Health Profiles (Profiles). The purpose of the Oklahoma School-Based Surveillance Project (OSBSP) is to collect, analyze, and disseminate scientifically valid data on statewide adolescent risk behaviors and school policies and practices and to use these data to guide state policy and program planning and improvement. Data collected from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and School Health Profiles (Profiles) data are in alignment with the OSDH focus areas and priorities as identified in the Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).
The OSDH serves as the administrator for the Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). For the 2023-2028 Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) there are five priorities for health improvement, which reflect the importance of healthy living as a necessary condition to achieving and maintaining a state of wellness. The five priorities include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, drivers of health, mental health and substance use, and obesity. Each of the priorities also have a workgroup dedicated to leading and supporting the work. The YRBS collects data on youth behaviors and experiences relating to obesity, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco use, electronic vapor product use, bullying, violence, mental health, and substance use. The Profiles collects data on school policies and practices regarding physical education and physical activity, nutrition, tobacco, school-based health services, bullying, and family and community involvement. The OSDH will share results from the YRBS and Profiles with the SHIP leadership team to monitor improvement in these agency priorities over time.
A core function of public health is the assessment of population health and public policy using surveillance activities and the application of epidemiologic principles and statistical analysis. For the OSBSP, OSDH will be looking at key outcomes, and the strategies and activities to reach those outcomes, throughout the project. The primary desired outcome is to increase the understanding of trends in youth risk behaviors and experiences and school health policies and practices. To accomplish this, the OSDH will seek to achieve sufficient participation rates to receive representative data for both the YRBS and Profiles. The OSDH will work with internal and external partners as needed in the recruitment of sampled schools, administer the YRBS and Profiles to participating schools, and disseminate the results.
Obtaining representative data for both the YRBS and Profiles will ensure the data continue to be utilized in improving health programs, educating school and public health officials about health risk behaviors our youth are engaging in, and informing public policy. The OSDH will use YRBS and Profiles data to track progress toward meeting school health and health promotion program goals, support modification of health programs and school health curricula, support new legislation and policies that promote health, and seek funding and other support for new health initiatives.