Profiles Results
School Health Profiles (Profiles) provides representative data on school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, and territories.
2018 Profiles Report pdf icon[PDF – 216 pages]
Full report of the 2018 Profiles, including methods, short-term and long-term changes over time, and results.
presentation icon The 2018 Profiles results are summarized in a PowerPoint® presentation that illustrates results on U.S. maps.
Entire Presentation
Sections (in PowerPoint® format)
- Introduction and Background ppt icon[PPT – 8 slides]
- Sexual Health Education ppt icon[PPT – 62 slides]
- Safe and Supportive Environments ppt icon[PPT – 11 slides]
- Sexual Health Services ppt icon[PPT – 28 slides]
- Health Services for Students with Chronic Conditions ppt icon[PPT – 7 slides]
- School Health Coordination ppt icon[PPT – 7 slides]
- School Health Education ppt icon[PPT – 18 slides]
- Tobacco-Use Prevention ppt icon[PPT – 6 slides]
- Local Wellness Policies ppt icon[PPT – 8 slides]
- Nutrition ppt icon[PPT – 18 slides]
- Physical Education and Physical Activity ppt icon[PPT – 16 slides]
- Family Engagement ppt icon[PPT – 6 slides]
Findings from the 2018 School Health Profiles illustrate the current status of school health policies and practices carried out in U.S. schools across states and large urban school districts implementing school-based HIV and STD prevention strategies.
- Some community health problems received increased attention in schools during 2018. In response, more schools across states provided student health education on topics related to suicide and violence prevention in 2018 compared to 2008. However, HIV prevention topics are losing ground in school health education. Since 2008, the percentage of schools across states that taught HIV prevention topics fell from 93% to 87% in 2018.
- Schools provide referrals to students for health services more than they provide these services on school grounds (e.g., HIV testing, STD testing, provision of condoms). In 2018, just 2% of schools across states and 12% of schools across large urban school districts provided condoms for students, while 26% of schools across states and 31% of schools across large urban districts provided student referrals for condoms.
- More schools are putting policies and practices in place known to protect students from a variety of health risks, and help students feel connected to their school. Creating safe and supportive environments is particularly important for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) students (e.g., training for staff, presence of safe spaces, connecting youth with services). There are more schools across states with a gay-straight alliance (GSA), from 23% in 2008 to 40% in 2018.
These findings show progress in some school health policies and practices, but also suggest areas of improvement to better meet the needs of students.
- 2016 Profiles Report pdf icon[PDF – 210 pages]Full report of the 2016 Profiles, including methods, short-term and long-term changes over time, and results.
- 2014 Profiles Report pdf icon[PDF – 197 pages]Full report of the 2014 Profiles, including methods, short-term and long-term changes over time, and results.
- Erratum: School Health Profiles, 2014 pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
- 2012 Profiles Report pdf icon[PDF – 215 pages]Full report of the 2012 Profiles, including methods, short-term and long-term changes over time, and results
- 2012 Physical Education Profiles ReportFull report of the 2012 Lead Physical Education Teacher survey results
- 2010 Profiles Report pdf icon[PDF – 202 pages]Full report of the 2010 Profiles, including methods, short-term and long-term changes over time, and results
For a list of related journal articles authored or co-authored by CDC staff, download Profiles Journal Articles and CDC Reports [PDF – 3 pages].