The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is an epidemiologic survey system established by CDC to monitor the prevalence of youth behavior that most influences health. The priority health risk behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States include tobacco use; unhealthy dietary behaviors; inadequate physical activity; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection; and behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence.

The YRBSS monitors six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults, including (1) Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; (2) sexual behaviors related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) tobacco use; (5) unhealthy dietary behaviors; (6) inadequate physical activity. YRBSS also measures the prevalence of obesity and asthma and other priority health-related behaviors plus sexual identity and sex of sexual contacts.

YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and local surveys conducted by state, territorial, and local education and health agencies and tribal governments.