Announcing Barriers to Treatment Access Study and Funding

We are thrilled to announce that Project HEAL's Barriers to Treatment Access Study, in partnership with EAT Lab at the University of Louisville, has received a generous grant from NEDA's Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research.

Eating disorders have some of the most complex and pervasive barriers to treatment of all mental illnesses. Yet to date, there is no published research documenting the extensive challenges that prevent people from access to life-saving care. This groundbreaking study will collect data to understand the patterns and prevalence of myriad barriers to treatment and analyze trends across different geographies, ages, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body sizes, insurance plans, diagnostic profiles, and treatment histories.

Every day, Project HEAL receives more applications from individuals nationwide who can't afford treatment's out-of-pocket costs, have been denied coverage, and who are at the end of their rope struggling to access the life-saving care they need.

Project HEAL is eager to officially begin conducting this study to equip ourselves - and the eating disorder community broadly - with data that details what we all know to be true: eating disorder treatment is currently only accessible for a privileged few, and we have a long way to go in breaking down barriers to adequate care.

"NEDA is committed to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and are proud to serve as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. To meet that objective, we have taken a proactive approach to looking at models of training and partnership programs that illustrate innovation," said Geoff Craddock, Chairman of the Board, NEDA. "We believe the outcomes from this collaborative project between Project HEAL and the EAT Lab will be a catalyst for advocacy work for years to come and will help to create informed strategies for policy reform efforts across the eating disorder treatment landscape and throughout the U.S. healthcare system.”

We’re thrilled to have NEDA's support for this innovative research and so grateful for our collaboration with Dr. Cheri Levinson at EAT Lab. 

“The EAT Lab at the University of Louisville is extremely excited to be partnering with Project HEAL on this crucial work that will help alleviate barriers to accessing eating disorder treatment. As a practicing clinician, clinical director of an eating disorder program, and clinical treatment researcher, I am far too familiar with the daily barriers that prevent up to 80% of individuals with eating disorders from receiving life-saving treatment. This work, which will empirically quantify the most common barriers and their impact on treatment seeking, is a first step in breaking down these systemic barriers and providing equitable treatment for everyone who suffers from these deadly illnesses.”

- Dr. Cheri Levinson, Director, EAT Lab, University of Louisville.

Thank you to NEDA for helping to fund this important work, and to our research partners at EAT Lab for walking with us every step of the way!

If you’ve experienced a barrier to eating disorder treatment, learn more about how to participate in the study here.