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Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
North Carolina Value:
Percentage of children ages 12-17 who have at least one adult in their school, neighborhood or community who knows them well and whom they can rely on for advice or guidance (2-year estimate)
North Carolina Rank:
Percentage of multiracial children ages 12-17 who have at least one adult in their school, neighborhood or community who knows them well and whom they can rely on for advice or guidance (2-year estimate)
98.5% - 95.4%
95.3% - 92.9%
92.8% - 90.1%
90.0% - 87.2%
87.1% - 74.4%
No Data
US Value: 88.0%
Top State(s): Maine: 96.9%
Bottom State(s): California: 82.5%
Definition: Percentage of children ages 12-17 who have at least one adult in their school, neighborhood or community who knows them well and whom they can rely on for advice or guidance (2-year estimate)
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children's Health, 2023-2024
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children's Health, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Youth mentorships can offer a supportive relationship between a nonparental adult mentor and a mentee to help young people access opportunities and guidance as they navigate life’s opportunities and challenges.
Mentorship offers many benefits for both the mentor and the mentee. Youth who have an adult mentor are more likely to graduate from high school, have stronger relationships with their parents, teachers and peers, and are less likely to use illicit drugs or alcohol.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of having an adult mentor is higher among:
Mentorships are also more prevalent among children from higher-income households and those from households where English is the primary language spoken.
Recommendations for improving and expanding youth mentoring include:
Examples of effective in-school mentorship programs include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gear Up, the AMPED program, Project Arrive, Success Mentors and Check and Connect. Effective after-school mentorship programs include Quantum Opportunities, Village Model of Care and Pathways to Education.
While Healthy People 2030 does not have a specific objective for mentors, they do have a goal to increase the proportion of adolescents who have an adult they can talk to about serious problems.
Erdem, Gizem, and Michelle R. Kaufman. Mentoring for Preventing and Reducing Substance Use and Associated Risks Among Youth. National Mentoring Resource Center Outcome Review. National Mentoring Resource Center, January 2020. https://nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mentoring_for_Preventing_and_Reducing_Substance_Use_and_Associated_Risks_Among_Youth_Outcome_Review.pdf.
Lakind, Davielle, Marc Atkins, and J. Mark Eddy. “Youth Mentoring Relationships in Context: Mentor Perceptions of Youth, Environment, and the Mentor Role.” Children and Youth Services Review 53 (June 2015): 52–60.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.03.007.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
