Less than 1% of American college students are estimated to be infected with HIV. Nevertheless, HIV infection was the 7th leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds during 1997.

The 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates that many college students throughout the United States engage in behaviors that place them at risk for serious health problems:

• 29% were current cigarette smokers.
• 35% reported episodic heavy drinking during the 30 days preceding the survey.
• 27% drank alcohol and drove during the prior 30 days.
• 20% of female college students had been forced to have sexual intercourse during her lifetime.
• Only 30% of the students who had had sexual intercourse during the 3 months preceding the survey had used a condom.
• 37% had engaged in vigorous physical activity, and 19% had engaged in moderate physical activity, while 74% failed to eat recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.

Read the full report, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance: National College Health Risk Behavior Survey -- United States, 1995, in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (November 14, 1997) at www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/ preview/mmwrhtm1/00049859.htm

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