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Iowa Youth Survey Shows Alcohol Use In Teens Is Down, But E-Cigarette Use And Suicide Risk Is Rising

Iowa’s youth are using e-cigarettes more, alcohol less and their risk of suicide is rising according to a report released Tuesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). The department says data from the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey shows alcohol use among 11th graders has dropped from nearly one in four in 2012 to 20 percent in 2018. Rates of binge drinking also fell, from just over 19 percent to 12 percent in the same timeframe. The only exception to the decline in alcohol use was found in eighth graders, who reported a nearly two percent increase in just two years. Traditional tobacco use has remained stable or declined compared to previous years, but nearly 25 percent of 11th-grade students reported using e-cigarettes in the last month. About eight percent of eighth graders and almost two percent of sixth graders also reported use within the last 30 days. Alarmingly, the number of Iowa youth who reported having a plan to kill themselves increased by 53 percent from 2012 to 2018. About ten percent of survey participants reported having a plan to commit suicide and nearly five percent reported an attempt in the last 12 months. “The Iowa Youth Survey gives us a glimpse into the lives of our young people. While the answers represent a moment in time and do not give a complete view of the pre-teen and teenage mindset, they do give us an idea of their actions and beliefs,” says Iowa Youth Survey Coordinator, Pat McGovern. More than 70,000 students, representing almost 70 percent of Iowa schools, participated in the survey. The full 2018 report can be found by following the link included with this story on our website.

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http://www.iowayouthsurvey.iowa.gov/

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