Eating disorders affect over eight million people. Eating disorders can be debilitating and are potentially deadly. Many of those suffering with an eating disorder will seek out care from general practitioners and specialists to manage medical complications but may not receive treatment for their eating disorder directly. Most providers receive little to no education on eating disorders and don’t have the knowledge or means to address these conditions.
Additionally, many outside of the eating disorders community are unaware of the complexities of this illness and policy makers and administrators often overlook the importance of accessible eating disorder care.
At ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition, we are committed to Not One More and believe a world without eating disorders is possible through provider education, early identification, advancement of eating disorder research, community outreach, and advocacy.
Longer illness is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Through continuing education events, we can educate providers on the many medical complications, risk factors, and warning signs of eating disorders so they can provide better care, know when to refer, and identify eating disorders early. With early identification and interventions, we can improve treatment trajectory with the goal of ensuring Not One More will suffer silently.
Eating disorders are one of the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid use disorder. Through ongoing research, we can gain greater insight into how and why medical complications manifest, improve treatment methods, and advance our understanding of eating disorders. Advancements in research allow us to ensure the highest quality of care for those suffering from eating disorders with the hope that eventually Not One More will be lost due to medical complications or suicide.
Many people outside of those providing eating disorder treatment still struggle to understand the complexities of eating disorders. Providing easily accessible and digestible information about eating disorders allows these individuals to offer judgement-free support and understanding to their loved ones and community members, ensuring Not One More will fight this battle alone.
Getting involved locally and utilizing our voices to advocate on behalf of patients demands our policy makers listen to our concerns regarding treatment accessibility. Through advocacy we work towards creating a future where Not One More person is left without options.
We know that Not One More isn’t around the corner, but we know it’s possible. As we look back on all the progress the global community has made in just a century, we know that our dedication, alongside the efforts of those that have come before us and will come after us, will eventually create the world we strive for. We look forward to a world where Not One More is a reality.
ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition is on a mission to further improve access to expert medical stabilization care for all persons affected by the extreme medical complications of eating disorders, as well as those suffering with severe malnutrition stemming from advanced disease or infection. ACUTE is the only dedicated inpatient medical stabilization program in the country with the resources, environment and experience to treat the most medically severe cases of eating disorders and malnutrition.