The identification of key health risks among the adolescent population allows Roanoke County to develop and implement a youth risk behavior prevention program that is tailored to the needs of the students. This study provides Roanoke County Schools with a large sample of student survey data regarding youth risk behavior. The final sample includes 6504 student surveys.

The research tool that was used for the study is titled the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The instrument is designed to gather data in six categories: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drugs; sexual behavior; dietary behavior; and physical activity.

Roanoke County students reported participating in at risk behavior more than their national counterparts in all six categories. Injuries, violence, drugs, and behaviors related to dieting, had the highest number of responses above percents reported in national YRBS data. Additional research is needed to determine the impact of prevention programs designed to deal with these problem behaviors.