U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During the month of November, the Virgin Islands Department of Health will conduct the Biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey among students in the territory’s four public high schools to collect data that will guide policies and programs and deliver better health outcomes.
“The Department of Health’s Biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey helps us to better understand the experiences and health habits of our high school students,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Nicole Craigwell-Syms. “The survey asks questions about topics such as physical activity, nutrition, emotional well-being, and safety to help shape programs that support youth health. A key symptom of emotional distress can be seen in sleep patterns, one of the areas assessed in the survey that may change our approach to care.”
Dr. Craigwell-Syms noted that, “Their experiences guide us in making informed decisions that lead to healthier schools, stronger families, and a safer Virgin Islands.”
From November 4th through the 13th, approximately 1,500 students in the territory’s four public high schools will participate in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Educational Complex and Central High School on St. Croix; and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas.
Survey administration will take place as follows:
- November 4 – St. Croix Central High School
- November 5 – Eudora Kean High School
- November 6 – St. Croix Educational Complex High School
- November 13 – Charlotte Amalie High School
The YRBS is part of a national surveillance system developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and implemented across states and territories. The territory received funding from the CDC to survey its public high schools.
Additionally, CDC, working with local health departments, randomly selects a sample of students so that the jurisdiction can get a clear and consistent picture of health among its youth population. The results are used to guide health education programs, improve school wellness initiatives, and inform public policy.
The 30-minute, paper-and-pencil survey will be administered in selected classrooms throughout the territory’s public high schools. The survey is administered under strict privacy and ethical protocols — no names are recorded, and individual responses remain anonymous. Only combined data are reported, ensuring that no school or student can be identified.
“The survey is completely anonymous,” said Janis Valmond, PhD, Deputy Commissioner for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, who is leading the effort for the VI Department of Health. “Students are not asked to provide their names, and no one, not parents, teachers, or classmates, will know how an individual student responds. That way, students have a safe space to share their real experiences about health, safety, and the challenges they face as teenagers.”
Participation is voluntary. Every student takes home a permission slip for parents to sign. Parents give passive consent, meaning the selected students are allowed to participate unless the parent returns the form before the survey date, indicating that their student will not participate.
Previous YRBS data in the Virgin Islands have helped identify trends in students’ mental health, substance use, and physical activity — supporting the development of school-based prevention programs and youth engagement activities, including the department’s Behavioral Health Division’s use of the “Zen Van,” to conduct mental wellness visits at junior high and high schools.
“We are very pleased to have collaborated with the Department of Education on this important initiative,” said VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion, who is currently attending the National Governor Association’s 2025 Health and Human Services Advisors Institute conference in New Mexico. “These insights help educators and policymakers understand what our students are facing and allow us to create safer and more supportive home and learning environments. Our goal is to ensure that Virgin Islands youth are both physically and emotionally healthy.”
For more information about the USVI survey visit https://www.doh.vi.gov/YRBS. For more information on the YRBS and national trends, visit https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs or the YRBS Data Explorer at https://yrbs-explorer.services.cdc.gov/ .