CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health

Today CDC released new data highlighting recent improvements in mental health and dietary behaviors among U.S. high school students. Today's new report, Youth Health in Focus, provides a snapshot of the health and well-being of high school students.

The report describes national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data from 2023 to 2025, as well as 10-year trends from 2015 to 2025. Data are presented across five focus areas: dietary behaviors, physical activity, sleep, digital behaviors, and mental health and suicide risk.

Key improvements from 2023 to 2025 include:

• Many of the mental health and suicide risk indicators improved, including persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, which improved from 40% to 33%; poor mental health, which improved from 29% to 23%; and seriously considering suicide, which improved from 20% to 14%

• Daily fruit consumption rose from 33% to 39%, daily vegetable consumption rose from 58% to 63%, and the share of students drinking plain water at least three times a day rose from 54% to 58%.

• Regarding improvements in youth physical activity, more students played on a sports team (52% to 58%).

"These are meaningful improvements, and they show that progress is possible when schools, families, and communities work together to support young people," said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, CDC's deputy director and chief medical officer. "At the same time, too many students are still struggling with daily health behaviors that can negatively affect their long-term health."

Despite noted gains, the report highlights areas where youth continue to face barriers:

• Daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity, and meeting recommended activity guidelines remained unchanged, and fewer students attended physical education daily from 2023 to 2025.

• Only about 1 in 4 (24%) students got at least 8 hours of sleep on an average school night in 2025, similar to 23% in 2023. Insufficient sleep is linked to poor mental health, difficulty concentrating, and risky behaviors such as not wearing a seat belt or texting while driving.

• About 1 in 3 (36%) students reported social media use every hour or more in 2025, similar to 37% when measurement began in 2023. Nearly 1 in 2 (46%) students who drove in the past month texted or emailed while driving in 2025, similar to 42% reported in 2023. Digital behaviors can influence many aspects of health, including sleep, physical activity, nutrition, safety, and mental well-being.

For more than 35 years, CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey has provided nationally representative data that help schools, families, communities, and public health leaders identify emerging challenges, monitor long-term trends, and guide evidence-based action. These critical data inform prevention strategies, shape school health programs and highlight where support is needed most.

The report highlights select statistically significant differences. The full 2025 YRBS dataset, the Youth Health in Focus report, and supporting materials are available on CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/yrbs.