Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 3
3
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Many organisations and academics have found that prevention and early intervention are likely to reduce...
Recommendation
Many organisations and academics have found that prevention and early intervention are likely to reduce eating disorder rates as well as hospitalisations and deaths. It is important that the alarming rise in eating disorder rates is addressed as the country reopens post-pandemic. We recommend that in the short term, the Government focuses on rapidly developing early intervention strategies for those with mental health issues related to body image, including eating disorders. Given the high mortality rates associated with eating disorders, and that eating disorder research receives just 96p per person affected annually, ringfenced funding for eating disorder research should be increased to at least £9 per person, the same amount that is spent per person on general mental health research. Funding for eating disorders must be in line with the prevalence and severity of the condition.
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Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4. Improving eating disorder services is a key priority for the government and a fundamental part of our commitment to improve mental health services. The Department has funded various studies through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) that aim to understand and mitigate harms of eating disorders.