Healthy Living Research
4-H Healthy Living initiatives are proven to influence youth to engage in positive healthy living behaviors.
4-H Positive Youth Development Study
According to Wave 8 of 4-H Positive Youth Development Study, 4-H’ers – regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race, and gender – thrive through the health/safety education and experiences they receive through 4-H programming. In fact, young people in 4-H are:
- 3.4 times less likely to have sexual intercourse by Grade 12
- 2.3 times more likely to spend more hours exercising or being physically active,
- Shown to have had significantly lower drug, alcohol and cigarette use than their peers.
Download the 4-H Positive Youth Development Study
4-H Healthy Living
Evidence-based and peer-reviewed 4-H Healthy Living Programs have been highlighted by the USDA Programs of Distinction. Healthy Living liaisons from the nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges work to enable successful healthy living programming.