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What is the Adolescent Health Survey?

The Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) is a questionnaire used to gather information about youth health in BC. The fourth provincial survey will be conducted in early 2008 and contains questions about physical and emotional health, and about factors that can influence health during adolescence or in later life.

The AHS is conducted by the McCreary Centre Society in collaboration with the provincial government and public health system, and with the cooperation of BC’s school districts. To date, over 73,000 students have participated in the survey in 1992, 1998, and 2003.

The AHS is the single best source for reliable, accurate and BC-based information about youth health. Survey results are used extensively by schools, communities, government agencies, health professionals and by young people themselves in planning youth programs and services. Because the survey has been in use since 1992, it gives policy makers, governments and agencies the ability to track trends over more than a decade.

Fast Facts on the Survey

• Pencil & paper questionnaire
• Confidential, anonymous and voluntary
• Takes 30-45 minutes to complete
• Conducted by trained public health nurses
• No cost to School Districts, schools or students
• Parents or guardians can refuse to allow a student to participate
• Question topics include both health promoting and health compromising behaviours

“The McCreary Centre provides an invaluable resource for those of us in the health field who are interested in knowing, from an evidence base, what is happening in the lives of children and youth in this province. The Centre’s ongoing school based survey is one of the very few consistent data sources available for providing an evidentiary base for program and policy decision making. ”

Dr. Perry Kendall
Provincial Health Officer
BC Ministry of Health Planning.