Ninety-seven percent of the American public believes that negative health effects exist from using steroids, yet only nineteen percent believe that steroid use is a big problem among high school students, according to a groundbreaking national study announced Thursday in New York City.

“The American Public’s Perception of Illegal Steroid Use,” a national survey developed by the Center for Social Development and Education and the Center for Survey Research at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is the most comprehensive opinion survey to date, assessing the American public’s knowledge, perceptions and beliefs about the use of performance-enhancing drugs among adolescents.

The study results show that the public does not see illegal use of steroids as a big problem among high school students, yet one out of two see it as a problem among college students and two out of three see it as a big problem for professional athletes, according to a release by the National Baseball hall of Fame and Museum.

The survey also shows that only one of two respondents had anyone discuss the negative health effects of steroid use with them, even though respondents almost unanimously admitted that steroids cause negative health effects.

The release also stated that the importance of the study shows that 64 percent of respondents believe high school boys are likely to use performance-enhancing substances, while 21 percent of respondents believe high school girls are likely to use performance-enhancing substances. The study also shows that only 17 percent of the American public believes that steroid use is a big problem among high school athletes.

The survey was commissioned by the Taylor Hooton Foundation, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

The survey is the most recent output of the collaboration between these three in providing educational programs and resources to inform and educate on the dangers of performance-enhancing substances. The organizations will also collaborate on national education events in 2013 and 2014.

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