Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.

Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change from previous measurement period.

green chart bars Significantly better than the overall value

red chart bars Significantly worse than the overall value

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

gray chart bars No data on significance available

Teens who had at least One Alcoholic Drink in the Last Month: 9th, 11th Graders

Measurement Period: 2022

Filter: none (all Counties)

Why is this important?

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years. Despite this, many high school students admit that they have had alcohol in the last month. Young adults may not understand the consequences of drinking too much and may not realize the damage that alcohol can cause.

Underage drinking can lead to many negative physical, mental and social outcomes. Even one alcohol drink can prevent crucial development of young adults’ brains and bodies. Ongoing drinking, especially binge drinking, can have lifelong consequences. Young adults who drink alcohol are more likely to experience school problems, social problems, legal problems and physical problems such as illness or injury to themselves and others. Excessive alcohol consumption puts a young adult at increased risk of abuse and unwanted, unplanned or unprotected sexual activity. Finally, drinking at a younger age is associated with alcohol use disorders later in life.

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