On June 4, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics joined a group of 215 national, state and local organizations that support patients and families impacted by eating disorders, urging Congress to address the increasingly critical public health issue of eating disorders and disordered eating in the United States.
Approximately 30 million Americans experience a clinically significant eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders, which have the second highest mortality of any mental illness, cost the nation $65 billion per year — and only one in 10 people receive treatment. Eating disorders affect all communities, including the military personnel and children, and can have lifelong impacts.
The group's letter calls on the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittees and the Agriculture Committee to prioritize:
- $5 million for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders to train primary care providers in the SBIRT-ED model and launch a public service announcement campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders.
- $750,000 for the Office on Women's Health (OWH) to fund research grants focused on early detection and treatment protocols for women and girls with or at risk of eating disorders.
- Incorporation of eating disorders prevention and education into the existing framework of Local School Wellness Policies.
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