Washington D.C, Oct. 7, 2022 — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) to promote the early and proper diagnosis of eating disorders.

It is estimated that more than 5% of men and more than 10% of women will have had symptoms of an eating disorder by age 40, with a peak incidence of diagnoses in adolescence and early adulthood. Studies and data suggest an increasing incidence of eating disorders and escalating needs for inpatient care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many individuals with an eating disorder do not receive help. In addition, identification of eating disorders varies based on sex, race, and ethnicity, which makes screening important to reduce disparities in care.

The APA will use the support from the grant to develop products, derived from the upcoming APA Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Eating Disorders expected early in 2023, to educate psychiatrists, primary care providers, and patients and caregivers in the importance of diagnosing eating disorders early and accurately.

"Many eating disorders go undetected by doctors because we’re not asking the right questions, and screening at the right touch points," said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. "We are pleased that the Council of Medical Specialty Societies selected us for this grant, as our work to better educate the medical workforce, as well as patients and caregivers, will change lives for the better."

The CMSS, a coalition of 48 specialty societies representing more than 800,000 physicians across healthcare, awarded 11 member specialty societies grants of $100,000 each to promote diagnostic excellence across the field of medicine. This grant program is funding a diverse array of projects to support the development and dissemination of resources and programs to improve the timeliness, accuracy, safety, efficiency, patient-centeredness, and equity of diagnostic outcomes for patients in the United States. These awards are funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

"Physicians look to their specialty societies for programs and resources that shape practice and drive improvement in safety, quality, and equity," said Helen Burstin, M.D., M.P.H., MACP, CEO of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. "We are very pleased to support the awardees in engaging physicians in diagnostic excellence across the house of medicine."

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.