This presentation will review the status of the major risk behaviors that youth engage in that may be unhealthy and destructive in nature. Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Study and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health will be shared. The bio-psycho-sociology of adolescent risk-taking behavior will be explored. Ideas for shifting youth risk-taking from destructive to constructive behavior will be illustrated. Suggestions for empowering youth as advocates for health will be discussed. Promising approaches for primary prevention by educators and other youth health promotion professionals will be identified based on prevention science research.