The 2021 Durham County Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) report is now available on the Partnership for a Healthy Durham website. The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a national survey conducted every two years in Durham County. The data for the 2021 YRBS was made available to local health departments in February 2023, following initial analysis by the CDC and the North Carolina Department of Human Services before it was shared with the  Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH). The survey is completed  in partnership with DCoDPH and Durham Public Schools. The survey covers a variety of topics including bullying, mental health, physical activity, nutrition, substance use, and more. The 2021 YRBS was the first to ask questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on learning in Durham County. More information and key findings are presented below: 

The survey was administered in person and electronically to 12 middle schools and nine high schools in fall 2021. Survey questions gathered information on topics including racial inequities, bullying, mental health, nutrition, personal health, personal safety, physical activity, sexual behavior, substance use, and tobacco use. The 2021 survey also included new sections on disability, school support, personal health, LGBTQ+ mental health,  and COVID-19, including a question regarding the impact of remote learning among high schoolers. Survey data was weighted and is representative of the middle and high school population in Durham County.

Key findings:

• High school students of color were more likely than white students to report obesity; not meeting physical activity guidelines; attempting suicide; and not eating breakfast every day.

• Middle school students of color were more likely than than white students to report not having a dental checkup in a year; attempting suicide; and having used marijuana in the last 30 days than white students.

• Since 2017, middle schoolers experiencing bullying has increased while bullying among high school students decreased.

• 34% of middle schoolers and 41% of high schoolers reported symptoms of depression.

• Suicidal ideation greatly increased, especially among Black and African American students from 2019 to 2021.

• Bisexual students were at the greatest risk of suicidal ideation compared to other LGBTQ+ students.

• 43% of middle schoolers and 25% of high schoolers reported getting over 8 hours of sleep a night.

• 23% of high schoolers reported gang activity in their school

• 5% of middle schoolers and 14% of high schoolers reported skipping school because they felt they’d be unsafe at school or to and from school.

• 52% of middle schoolers and 50% of high schoolers agree that their teachers really care about them and give them lots of encouragement.

• 28% of high schoolers reported having sexual intercourse.

• 15% of high schoolers reported drinking at least once during the past 30 days.

• 16% of middle schoolers reported ever drinking alcohol other than a few sips.

• Marijuana use has significantly declined since 2019.

• 14% of middle schoolers and 27% of high schoolers reported using an electronic vaping product.

• Black or African American students are 1.3 times as likely to report having a disability compared to white peers.

• Nearly 2 of 5 high school students reported strongly agreeing that their schoolwork increased in difficulty since COVID-19.