The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is a set of surveys that monitor priority health risk behaviors and experiences that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth of grade 9 -12 in the United States. The surveys are administered every other year and it is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 107 questionnaire are asked. Some of the health-related behaviors and experiences monitored are: * Student demographics: sex, sexual identity, race and ethnicity, and grade * Youth health behaviors and conditions: sexual, injury and violence, bullying, diet and physical activity, obesity, and mental health, suicide attempt * Substance use behaviors: electronic vapor product and tobacco product use, alcohol use, and other drug use * Student experiences: parental monitoring, school connectedness, unstable housing, and exposure to community violence The dataset is used by a group of graduate students from Texas State University for 2025 TXST Open Datathon. The main YRBSS dataset includes data of multiple years, various states, district. For analyzing demographic variations associated with suicide, the 1991–2023 combined district dataset (https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/files/sadc_2023/HS/sadc_2023_district.dat) is used, which offers a broad historical perspective on trends across different groups. To examine the preventive measures and develop a predictive model for suicide risk, the 2023 dataset (https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/files/2023/XXH2023_YRBS_Data.zip) was used, ensuring the inclusion of the most recent behavioral and attributes. Please review the 2023 YRBS Data User's Guide by CDC for further information.

Flooding is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Texas. According to Texas Tribune a digital-first, nonpartisan media organization, almost 6 million Texans, or about 20% of the population, live in an area susceptible to flooding (Tribune Texas). The Harris county on average experience a major flood somewhere every two years; this is according to MAAPnext a project funded by FEMA to deliver a transformative step in the management and regulation of Harris County’s floodplains, further contributing to it's resilience .

This dataset comprises the third follow-up of the baseline Hispanic EPESE, HISPANIC ESTABLISHED POPULATIONS FOR THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES OF THE ELDERLY, 1993-1994: ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND TEXAS, and provides information on 1,682 of the original respondents. The Hispanic EPESE collected data on a representative sample of community-dwelling Mexican-American elderly, aged 65 years and older, residing in the five southwestern states of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The primary purpose of the series was to provide estimates of the prevalence of key physical health conditions, mental health conditions, and functional impairments in older Mexican Americans and to compare these estimates with those for other populations. The Hispanic EPESE attempted to determine whether certain risk factors for mortality and morbidity operate differently in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic White Americans, African Americans, and other major ethnic groups. The public-use data cover background characteristics (age, sex, type of Hispanic race, income, education, marital status, number of children, employment, and religion), height, weight, social and physical functioning, chronic conditions, related health problems, health habits, self-reported use of dental, hospital, and nursing home services, and depression. The follow-ups provide a cross-sectional examination of the predictors of mortality, changes in health outcomes, and institutionalization and other changes in living arrangements, as well as changes in life situations and quality of life issues. The vital status of respondents from baseline to this round of the survey may be determined using the Vital Status file (Part 2). This file contains interview dates from the baseline as well as vital status at Wave IV (respondent survived, date of death if deceased, proxy-assisted, proxy-reported cause of death, proxy-true). The first follow-up of the baseline data (Hispanic EPESE Wave II, 1995-1996 [ICPSR 3385]) followed 2,438 of the original 3,050 respondents, and the second follow-up (Hispanic EPESE Wave III, 1998-1999 [ICPSR 4102]) followed 1,980 of these respondents. Hispanic EPESE, 1993-1994 (ICPSR 2851), was modeled after the design of ESTABLISHED POPULATIONS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES OF THE ELDERLY, 1981-1993: EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, IOWA AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, IOWA, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, AND NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA and ESTABLISHED POPULATIONS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES OF THE ELDERLY, 1996-1997: PIEDMONT HEALTH SURVEY OF THE ELDERLY, FOURTH IN-PERSON SURVEY DURHAM, WARREN, VANCE, GRANVILLE, AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA.

As of March 10, 2023, there have been 1.1 million deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States. There have been 101,159 deaths in the state of California, more than any other state in the country – California is also the state with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

The vaccine rollout in the U.S. Since the start of the pandemic, the world has eagerly awaited the arrival of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. In the United States, the immunization campaign started in mid-December 2020 following the approval of a vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. As of March 22, 2023, the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the U.S. had reached roughly 673 million. The states with the highest number of vaccines administered are California, Texas, and New York.

Vaccines achieved due to work of research groups Chinese authorities initially shared the genetic sequence to the novel coronavirus in January 2020, allowing research groups to start studying how it invades human cells. The surface of the virus is covered with spike proteins, which enable it to bind to human cells. Once attached, the virus can enter the cells and start to make people ill. These spikes were of particular interest to vaccine manufacturers because they hold the key to preventing viral entry.

This graph shows the most common words spoken by death row inmates in Texas at execution between 1976 and 2016. About ** percent of the final statements included the word 'love'.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2022, 33 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in Texas -- the most out of any state. New York, California, Georgia, and Tennessee rounded out the top five states for law enforcement fatalities in 2020.

As of March 10, 2023, the state with the highest number of COVID-19 cases was California. Almost 104 million cases have been reported across the United States, with the states of California, Texas, and Florida reporting the highest numbers.

From an epidemic to a pandemic The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The term pandemic refers to multiple outbreaks of an infectious illness threatening multiple parts of the world at the same time. When the transmission is this widespread, it can no longer be traced back to the country where it originated. The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has now reached over 669 million.

The symptoms and those who are most at risk Most people who contract the virus will suffer only mild symptoms, such as a cough, a cold, or a high temperature. However, in more severe cases, the infection can cause breathing difficulties and even pneumonia. Those at higher risk include older persons and people with pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease. People aged 85 years and older have accounted for around 27 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States, although this age group makes up just two percent of the U.S. population

In 2020, there were 257 women killed by male single offenders in the state of Texas. Texas was the state with the highest number of women murdered by men in single offender homicides. California had the second most women killed by male single offenders, at 222 cases.

The deadliest animals in the world based on the number of human deaths per year is not a creature that humans usually find scary, such as a lion or snake. Mosquitos are by far the deadliest creature in the world when it comes to annual human deaths, causing around one million deaths per year, compared to 100,000 deaths from snakes and 250 from lions. Perhaps surpringly, dogs are the third deadliest animal to humans. Dogs are responsible for around 30,000 human deaths per year, with the vast majority of these deaths resulting from rabies that is transmitted from the dog.

Malaria

Mosquitos are the deadliest creature in the world because they transmit a number of deadly diseases, the worst of which is malaria. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that results in fever, chills, headache, vomiting and, if left untreated, death. Malaria disproportionately affects poorer regions of the world such as Africa and South-East Asia. In 2020, there were around 627,000 deaths from malaria worldwide.

Mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S.

The most common mosquito-borne diseases reported in the United States include West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue viruses. Many of these cases, however, are from travelers who contracted the disease in another country - this is especially true for malaria, Zika, and dengue. In 2018, the states of California, New York, and Texas reported the highest number of mosquito-borne disease cases in the United States.

As of March 10, 2023, the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 cases was Rhode Island followed by Alaska. Around 103.9 million cases have been reported across the United States, with the states of California, Texas, and Florida reporting the highest numbers of infections.

From an epidemic to a pandemic The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The term pandemic refers to multiple outbreaks of an infectious illness threatening multiple parts of the world at the same time; when the transmission is this widespread, it can no longer be traced back to the country where it originated. The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide is roughly 683 million, and it has affected almost every country in the world.

The symptoms and those who are most at risk Most people who contract the virus will suffer only mild symptoms, such as a cough, a cold, or a high temperature. However, in more severe cases, the infection can cause breathing difficulties and even pneumonia. Those at higher risk include older persons and people with pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease. Those aged 85 years and older have accounted for around 27 percent of all COVID deaths in the United States, although this age group makes up just two percent of the total population

California reported the largest number of homicides to the FBI in 2023, at 1,929 for the year. Texas recorded the second-highest number of murders, with 1,845 for the year. Homicide victim demographics There were a total of 19,252 reported homicide cases in the U.S. in 2023. When looking at murder victims by gender and ethnicity, the vast majority were male, while just over half of the victims were Black or African American. In addition, homicide victims in the United States were found most likely to be between the ages of 20 and 34 years old, with the majority of victims aged between 17 to 54 years old. Are murders up? In short, no – since the 1990s the number of murders in the U.S. has decreased significantly. In 1990, the murder rate per 100,000 people stood at 9.4, and stood at 5.7 in 2023. It should be noted though that the number of homicides increased slightly from 2014 to 2017, although figures declined again in 2018 and 2019, before ticking up once more in 2020 and 2021. Despite this decline, when viewed in international comparison, the U.S. murder rate is still notably high. For example, the Canadian homicide rate stood at 1.94 in 2023, while the homicide rate in England and Wales was even lower.

As of July 14, 2025, there have been a total of 277 school shootings in California since 1966, the most out of any state. Texas had the second highest number of school shootings within this time period, with 237 shootings. The source defines a school shooting as every time a gun is brandished, fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims (including zero), time, day or the week, or reason, including gang shootings, domestic violence, shootings at sports games and after hours school events, suicides, fights that escalate into shootings, and accidents.

In 2023, 76.37 percent of homicides were committed by firearm in the United States, compared to 85.7 percent in 2021. This figure has been increasing since 2014, when 63.6 percent of homicides were committed by firearm. Firearms in the United States Firearms in the United States have become a large part of American culture. The Second Amendment of the Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms. This amendment has been cited as a reason why gun control laws should not become stricter. However, many Americans are in favor of stricter gun control laws due to the increase of shootings in the country. Handguns were the most frequently used weapon used on murder victims in 2020, and overall, the United States was the country with the highest rate of civilian-owned firearms. Who owns firearms? Firearms are more popular in certain parts of the United States than others. Texas was the state with the highest number of registered weapons in 2021, with Florida, Virginia, California, and Pennsylvania rounding out the top five. Firearm laws vary from state to state, which means it is easier to obtain a firearm in some states than in others. Gun owners in the United States are typically white, and men are more likely to personally own a gun than women.

In recent years, gun violence in the United States has become an alarmingly common occurrence. From 2016, there has been over ****** homicides by firearm in the U.S. each year and firearms have been found to make up the majority of murder weapons in the country by far, demonstrating increasing rates of gun violence occurring throughout the nation. As of 2025, Mississippi was the state with the highest gun violence rate per 100,000 residents in the United States, at **** percent, followed by Louisiana, at **** percent. In comparison, Massachusetts had a gun violence rate of *** percent, the lowest out of all the states. The importance of gun laws Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state, which has been found to affect the differing rates of gun violence throughout the country. Fewer people die by gun violence in states where gun safety laws have been passed, while gun violence rates remain high in states where gun usage is easily permitted and even encouraged. In addition, some states suffer from high rates of gun violence despite having strong gun safety laws due to gun trafficking, as traffickers can distribute firearms illegally past state lines. The right to bear arms Despite evidence from other countries demonstrating that strict gun control measures reduce rates of gun violence, the United States has remained reluctant to enact gun control laws. This can largely be attributed to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which states that citizens have the right to bear arms. Consequently, gun control has become a highly partisan issue in the U.S., with ** percent of Democrats believing that it was more important to limit gun ownership while ** percent of Republicans felt that it was more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns.

In 2024, California had the highest number of liver transplants performed among all U.S. states. That year, there were around 1,243 liver transplants performed in California. The state with the second-highest number of liver transplants was Texas. Liver transplants are the second most common transplant in the United States, behind kidney transplants. Liver transplants in the United States In 2023, there were just over 10,660 liver transplants carried out in the United States. Most liver transplants in the U.S. are among adults aged 50 to 64 years, with this age group accounting for around 43 percent of all liver transplants. The current need for liver transplants exceeds availability, with over nine thousand people in the United States waiting to receive a liver transplant. Liver transplantation is a treatment option for those suffering from end-stage chronic liver disease, in which the liver is damaged beyond repair. Liver disease End-stage chronic liver disease, or liver failure, has various causes including cirrhosis, hepatitis B and C, and liver cancer. Around half of all deaths in the United States caused by liver cirrhosis are related to alcohol use. Liver cirrhosis is scarring of the liver because of long-term damage. The death rate due to alcohol-related cirrhosis in the United States has increased over the past couple decades. Men are much more likely to die from liver cirrhosis than women.

The deadliest school shooting in the United States as of August 11, 2025, was the Virginia Tech massacre, with 32 fatalities and 23 injuries. The next deadliest school shooting (based on fatalities) was the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, with 27 fatalities. School shootings in the U.S. Mass shootings in the United States have become a disturbingly common occurrence, and sadly, so have school shootings. The Columbine school shooting is perhaps the most famous in the country’s history, and since 1999 (when the shooting occurred), the number of school shootings has only increased. Many measures have been used to try to prevent school shootings, including security guards and metal detectors being deployed in schools, and even the suggestion that teachers be allowed to carry guns in schools. Gun control Gun control in the United States is a sticky issue, since gun ownership is enshrined in the Constitution. Some advocate for stricter gun control laws to try to prevent future mass shootings, while others say that this is unconstitutional. Gun ownership rates in the U.S. are high, with the share of American households owning at least one firearm remaining relatively steady since 1972.

In 2023, law enforcement officers committed 303 justifiable homicides in the United States. A justifiable homicide is defined as the killing of a felon during the commission of a felony. What is homicide? Homicide occurs when one person kills another; however it is not exactly the same as murder. It may or may not be considered criminal. Legal examples include a person killing an intruder in their home or capital punishment. There are different types of homicide, which includes murder and manslaughter. Homicide trends in the United States As of 2023, California had the highest number of homicides, followed by Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. That same year, murders with one victim and one offender were the most common in the United States. Overall, the United States has had a much higher rate of homicide in the past years when compared to their neighbor, Canada.

As of November 11, 2022, almost 96.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the United States. The pandemic has impacted all 50 states, with vast numbers of cases recorded in California, Texas, and Florida.

The coronavirus in the U.S. The coronavirus hit the United States in mid-March 2020, and cases started to soar at an alarming rate. The country has performed a high number of COVID-19 tests, which is a necessary step to manage the outbreak, but new coronavirus cases in the U.S. have spiked several times since the pandemic began, most notably at the end of 2022. However, restrictions in many states have been eased as new cases have declined.

The origin of the coronavirus In December 2019, officials in Wuhan, China, were the first to report cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause. A new human coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – has since been discovered, and COVID-19 is the infectious disease it causes. All available evidence to date suggests that COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans. The WHO says transmission is likely to have happened through an animal that is handled by humans. Researchers do not support the theory that the virus was developed in a laboratory.