Legislative Guideline 6
Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders will conduct and participate in research programs to identify and address gaps in evidence based prevention and treatment methods.
Article 27-J requires Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders to promote and coordinate regional and statewide research efforts into effective methods of education, prevention and treatment of eating disorders including research on the various models of care.
Since prevention and treatment for eating disorders continues to evolve, it is essential that the Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders are linked to state-of-the-art prevention and treatment information and that staff are knowledgeable and employ the interventions that have proven effective.
Further studies are needed to address issues surrounding the epidemiology, causes and course of illness for individuals with eating disorders. Specific studies of interest include research to better determine the prevalence of eating disorders within the covered region, collaborating with other Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders to determine statewide prevalence rates, efficacy studies to evaluate specific strategies for prevention and studies to evaluate specific treatment methods for eating disorders in adolescents and adults. Research may include basic science and clinical interventions as well as translational research that informs practice and policy. Research areas may include, but not be limited to:
- Risk factors contributing to the development of eating disorders;
- Morbidity, mortality, and risk of relapse associated with specific eating disorders;
- Incidence of eating disorders, particularly in children;
- Impact of co-morbid conditions on the course and treatment of specific eating disorders;
- Factors associated with the onset and course of eating disorders;
- Primary prevention programs for children, adolescents and young adults;
- Effectiveness of screening and early intervention programs; and,
- Treatment outcome studies, including those examining care at various levels.
Centers are required to affiliate with an academic partner for conducting such research. Collaborations with other identified New York State Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders on research and evaluation activities are an asset. Centers will submit research results to peer reviewed journals for publication and will share their findings with others in the field of eating disorder prevention and treatment.