Harris Center Research Meeting - June 15, 2010

Left to Right: Kamryn T. Eddy, Ph.D., Stephanie Ross, Jennifer Slane, David B. Herzog, M.D., Debra L. Franko, Ph.D., Kara Gaughen

Comprehensive interdisciplinary research is key to developing effective strategies to understand, diagnose, treat, and prevent eating disorders and the serious medical complications that often result from them.

Although eating disorders carry high risks, research on these illnesses is underfunded by federal initiatives and insurance coverage falls far short of most patients' needs. In 2008, the National Institute of Mental Health directed only $19 million towards eating disorder research (which is estimated to affect over 10 million Americans – less than $2 per individual). In contrast, $205 million was directed towards schizophrenia research that same year (estimated to affect 2.7 million Americans – just under $76 per individual).

In addition, despite the prevalence of eating disorders, there are very few specialized postgraduate training programs for professionals to learn to treat individuals with eating disorders. In its efforts to expand quality research and to increase the number of professionals who will be prepared to understand, detect, and successfully treat people with eating disorders, the Harris Center

• Creates and fosters interdisciplinary research collaborations;
• Facilitates innovative research through pilot study grants and seed money;
• Promotes and provides support for ongoing studies; and
• Develops and nurtures research and clinical interests of young investigators.