Risky Business

Latino students are more likely than black or white kids to attempt suicide and use drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, says a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite a decrease in health risk behaviors among high school students since 1991, racial and ethnic differences continue to be evident. For instance, compared with white and Latino high school students, black teens are least likely to use tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs, but they're most likely to report sexual risk behaviors and sedentary behaviors such as watching TV three or more hours a day.

White teens are less likely than black or Latino high school students to report physical fighting, sexual risk behaviors, and being overweight, but they're more likely to engage in frequent cigarette smoking and episodic heavy drinking.