Program Overview

Created in 2019, the Iowa Youth Health Assessment Program originally administered three surveys related to student health. Together these surveys provided necessary data for state and community stakeholders to make data-driven funding, policy and program decisions. The surveys are the Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), Iowa Youth Survey (IYS), and School Health Profiles.

Iowa will not participate in the 2023 Iowa YRBS. The 2023 Iowa Youth Survey will be administered in Fall 2023. Iowa will participate in the 2024 School Health Profiles in the Spring.

Administered every two years, the Iowa Youth Survey and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey are the most frequently used sources of data on key behaviors impacting youth health in Iowa. Data are used at the school, county, state, and national levels to inform policy and funding, to develop program strategy, and for surveillance and research purposes.

Data for Health Equity

The Iowa Youth Health Assessment Program is committed to promoting health equity by collecting, stratifying and disseminating data that identify disparities, help set priorities and contribute to improved health outcomes for young people living in Iowa. Please see YRBS and IYS data reports for current information on health disparities experienced by subpopulations of Iowa youth.

Iowa Youth Survey (IYS)

Every two years, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) partners with Iowa school districts to administer the Iowa Youth Survey (IYS). The IYS is an important source of data on adolescent health behaviors and experiences. For decades, Iowa schools and parents have supported participation in the IYS. Hundreds of thousands of Iowa adolescents have shared information on their health-related experiences. The 2023 Iowa Youth Survey will take place September 25 – November 3, 2023.

Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

Iowa School Health Profiles