NEDA Commemorates the White House Presidential Proclamation for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
February 18, 2022 — The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) commemorates the White House Presidential Proclamation for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This is the first administration in three decades to recognize the week. President George H.W. Bush signed the first-ever proclamation recognizing National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in 1990. This is a historic moment for the eating disorders community, and NEDA thanks President Biden for acknowledging February 21-27, 2022, as National Eating Disorders Awareness Week to prioritize eating disorders as mental illnesses that deserves attention across the nation.
NEDAwareness Week is a time to educate individuals about the serious nature of eating disorders. At least 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Sadly, one person dies every 52 minutes as a direct result of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are bio-psycho-social diseases, which means that genetic, biological, environmental, and social elements all play a role in the development of an eating disorder.
“No one should have to suffer with eating disorders. These serious medical conditions affect people living in America of all ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, body shapes, weights, and socioeconomic statuses,” said ADM Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is committed to fighting eating disorders by improving access to care, reducing stigma, and expanding prevention awareness in our communities.”
“NEDA applauds President Biden for recognizing the significance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The Proclamation, a statement of observance and a call to collection action from our nation’s leader, helps reduce stigma and underscores the importance this administration is placing on life saving care in the forms of access to care, expanding prevention efforts, and developing intervention strategies and treatments,” said Elizabeth Thompson, CEO, NEDA, the nation’s most significant and only patient and family organization addressing eating disorders on multiple fronts, such as research, advocacy, support, and access. “Thank you, President Biden. Thank you, Admiral Levine. We look forward to working with you to advance our shared mission.”
While attention must be brought to the serious nature of eating disorders, it is also important to recognize that full recovery is possible. With proper treatment and support, individuals can fully recover from this illness. Education, early prevention, and access to care are critical elements to the healing of one’s eating disorder. The White House Presidential Proclamation will assist Americans’ understanding of eating disorders. NEDA in partnership with other members of the Eating Disorders Coalition will continue to work with the Biden Administration to advance additional opportunities for eating disorders recognition, prevention, and intervention.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Through our programs and services, NEDA raises awareness, builds communities of support and recovery, funds research and puts essential resources into the hands of those in need. For more information, visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
CONTACT
Elizabeth Thompson
Chief Executive Officer