Fact Sheet

9 Million Americans with Eating Disorders
A one-page fact sheet to print and distribute in your community (pdf).

Treatment

Barriers to Insurance Coverage
Struggling to get treatment? This article identifies common barriers and offers valuable suggestions for working with your insurance company, your state insurance commission or attorney general, and others.

The Management of Eating Disorders
For the first time, the federal government has published a report on the efficacy of various types of treatment for eating disorders. The report commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is available online now. Copies of the report are available free of charge by calling the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 800-358-9295 or by sending an E-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.

Prevention

Campaign for Real Beauty by Dove

BodyWise Handbook for Middle School Personnel
Interested in fighting eating disorders among school-age children? The BodyWise Handbook is a great tool for working with local school personnel.

 

Policy

Report on Parity for Federal Employees
Evaluation of Parity in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Final Report. The largest study to date demonstrating minimal additional costs for mental health parity. Why it's important: Providing parity raises costs less than 1 percent!

American Public Opinion on Eating Disorders, 2005
A report on current public opinion commissioned by the National Eating Disorders Association. Why it's important: Americans are ready for the changes we want!

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance in the United States, 2004
This report by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, describes the increasing number of citizens without health insurance, 45.8 million. State-by-state information is also detailed for demographic differences and for various types of health coverage. Why it's important: The number of uninsured Americans is growing.

Report on Congressional Sponsorships, 108th Congress
A review of U.S. House and U.S. Senate sponsors for bills related to eating disorders.
Published October 2004. Why it's important: At a glance, see how you representatives helped (or didn't).

Eating Disorders and Federal Policy
How has the federal government responded?

Memorial Names and Photographs
Names and faces of people who have an eating disorder-related death. Why it's important: We need to show others that eating disorders are deadly.

Policy Recommendations
What can the government do to help?

Statistics
How serious is the problem?

Mental Illness Exacts Heavy Toll, Beginning in Youth

Federal Agencies

Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration