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In November 2021, the NEDA began to test the ] "Tessa", which was developed by the AI company Cass in partnership with psychologists such as Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft of the ].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Aratani |first=Lauren |date=2023-05-31 |title=US eating disorder helpline takes down AI chatbot over harmful advice |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/31/eating-disorder-hotline-union-ai-chatbot-harm |access-date=2023-06-01 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2023, the NEDA announced plans to discontinue Helpline in favor of Tessa on June 1; the NEDA stated that the bot was intended to help the organization "adapt to the changing needs and expectations of our community", and that it was a "cost-effective, easily accessible, and non-stigmatizing option for prevention and intervention in eating disorders". It also stated that the bot was based on "rule-based, guided conversation", and was not a "highly functional AI system" similar to ].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> The decision would result in the dismissal of Helpline's six full-time employees, and volunteers being re-assigned to oversee and "test" the chatbot.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Vice president Lauren Smolar stated that another factor in the change was an increasing number of callers presenting ] issues, stating that "our volunteers are volunteers. They’re not professionals. They don’t have crisis training. And we really can’t accept that kind of responsibility. We really need them to go to those services who are appropriate".<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> In November 2021, the NEDA began to test the ] "Tessa", which was developed by the AI company Cass in partnership with psychologists such as Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft of the ].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Aratani |first=Lauren |date=2023-05-31 |title=US eating disorder helpline takes down AI chatbot over harmful advice |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/31/eating-disorder-hotline-union-ai-chatbot-harm |access-date=2023-06-01 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2023, the NEDA announced plans to discontinue Helpline in favor of Tessa on June 1; the NEDA stated that the bot was intended to help the organization "adapt to the changing needs and expectations of our community", and that it was a "cost-effective, easily accessible, and non-stigmatizing option for prevention and intervention in eating disorders". It also stated that the bot was based on "rule-based, guided conversation", and was not a "highly functional AI system" similar to ].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> The decision would result in the dismissal of Helpline's six full-time employees, and volunteers being re-assigned to oversee and "test" the chatbot.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Vice president Lauren Smolar stated that another factor in the change was an increasing number of callers presenting ] issues, stating that "our volunteers are volunteers. They’re not professionals. They don’t have crisis training. And we really can’t accept that kind of responsibility. We really need them to go to those services who are appropriate".<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />


Former Helpline employee Abbie Harper accused the NEDA of engaging in ], as the decision to discontinue the Helpline came almost immediately after the ] (NLRB) certified a March 2023 election by Helpline Associates United—a ] formed by the Helpline's full-time employees. The NEDA had refused to recognize the union. Harper stated that the union had been established to ensure "adequate staffing and ongoing training to keep up with our changing and growing Helpline", and the union stated that "a chat bot is no substitute for human empathy, and we believe this decision will cause irreparable harm to the eating disorders community.:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> On May 31, 2023, NEDA temporarily took Tessa offline after reports that it had "given information that was harmful and unrelated to the ]] program," including advice on weight loss and calorie limiting that was "against our core beliefs as an eating disorder organization."<ref name=":2" /> Former Helpline employee Abbie Harper accused the NEDA of engaging in ], as the decision to discontinue the Helpline came almost immediately after the ] (NLRB) certified a March 2023 election by Helpline Associates United—a ] formed by the Helpline's full-time employees. The NEDA had refused to recognize the union. Harper stated that the union had been established to ensure "adequate staffing and ongoing training to keep up with our changing and growing Helpline", and the union stated that "a chat bot is no substitute for human empathy, and we believe this decision will cause irreparable harm to the eating disorders community."<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> On May 31, 2023, NEDA temporarily took Tessa offline after reports that it had "given information that was harmful and unrelated to the ]] program," including advice on weight loss and calorie limiting that was "against our core beliefs as an eating disorder organization."<ref name=":2" />


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 15:15, 1 June 2023

National Eating Disorders Association
AbbreviationNEDA
FoundedMay 4, 1987; 37 years ago (1987-05-04)
Merger ofEating Disorders Awareness & Prevention, American Anorexia Bulimia Association
Tax ID no. 13-3444882
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
PurposeTo support individuals and families affected by eating disorders and to serve as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care.
Headquarters333 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 214,
White Plains, New York 10605,
United States
Revenue$3,935,171 (2016)
Expenses$3,619,563 (2016)
Employees22 (2015)
Volunteers300 (2015)
Websitewww.nationaleatingdisorders.org

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is an American non-profit organization devoted to preventing eating disorders, providing treatment referrals, and increasing the education and understanding of eating disorders, weight, and body image.

History

In 2001, Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention and the American Anorexia Bulimia Association merged to form the National Eating Disorders Association. At the time, Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention and the American Anorexia Bulimia Association were "the largest and longest standing eating disorders prevention and advocacy organizations in the world".

In a 2018 report for the Skeptical Inquirer, Ben Radford alleged that there were "many examples of flawed, misleading, and sometimes completely wrong information and data being copied and widely disseminated among eating disorder organizations and educators without anyone bothering to consult the original research to verify its accuracy". Radford states that misleading statistics and data have been ignored by organizations like the National Eating Disorder Association, who has not released the data for "incidence of anorexia from 1984-2017". He states that each agency continues to report incorrect numbers assuming that someone else has checked the accuracy.

Activities

NEDA holds "National Eating Disorder Awareness Week" annually during the last week of February. It has hosted charity walks for eating disorder awareness in various U.S. cities.

In 2012, NEDA launched Proud2BMe, a website aimed at teenagers to promote positive body image and healthy eating.

Helpline service and replacement with chatbot

The NEDA formerly operated a "Helpline" service via toll-free telephone and online chat to provide one-on-one support, which was staffed by employees and volunteers.

In November 2021, the NEDA began to test the chatbot "Tessa", which was developed by the AI company Cass in partnership with psychologists such as Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft of the Washington University School of Medicine. In 2023, the NEDA announced plans to discontinue Helpline in favor of Tessa on June 1; the NEDA stated that the bot was intended to help the organization "adapt to the changing needs and expectations of our community", and that it was a "cost-effective, easily accessible, and non-stigmatizing option for prevention and intervention in eating disorders". It also stated that the bot was based on "rule-based, guided conversation", and was not a "highly functional AI system" similar to ChatGPT. The decision would result in the dismissal of Helpline's six full-time employees, and volunteers being re-assigned to oversee and "test" the chatbot. Vice president Lauren Smolar stated that another factor in the change was an increasing number of callers presenting mental health issues, stating that "our volunteers are volunteers. They’re not professionals. They don’t have crisis training. And we really can’t accept that kind of responsibility. We really need them to go to those services who are appropriate".

Former Helpline employee Abbie Harper accused the NEDA of engaging in union busting, as the decision to discontinue the Helpline came almost immediately after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified a March 2023 election by Helpline Associates United—a union formed by the Helpline's full-time employees. The NEDA had refused to recognize the union. Harper stated that the union had been established to ensure "adequate staffing and ongoing training to keep up with our changing and growing Helpline", and the union stated that "a chat bot is no substitute for human empathy, and we believe this decision will cause irreparable harm to the eating disorders community." On May 31, 2023, NEDA temporarily took Tessa offline after reports that it had "given information that was harmful and unrelated to the program," including advice on weight loss and calorie limiting that was "against our core beliefs as an eating disorder organization."

See also

References

  1. "National Eating Disorders Association". Division of Corporations. Delaware Department of State. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "National Eating Disorders Association". Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". National Eating Disorders Association. Guidestar. April 30, 2016.
  4. "National Eating Disorders Association". Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  5. Radford, Ben (2018). "Medical Misinformation in the Media: Is Anorexia on the Rise?". Skeptical Inquirer. 42 (1). Committee for Skeptical Inquirer: 46–49.
  6. Costin, p. 297.
  7. Serterides, Allie (2023-02-28). "39th annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week emphasizes strength through experience, knowledge". The Badger Herald. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  8. Trezza, Matt (2023-05-13). "Orlando community walks with NEDA to support those with eating disorders". FOX 35 Orlando. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  9. "ASU alumna, students assist in upcoming Phoenix National Eating Disorder Awareness Walk -". The Arizona State Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  10. "Pinterest Boards Encourage Eating Disorders". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  11. ^ Wells, Kate (2023-05-24). "Can a chatbot help people with eating disorders as well as another human?". NPR. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  12. ^ Xiang, Chloe (2023-05-25). "Eating Disorder Helpline Fires Staff, Transitions to Chatbot After Unionization". Vice. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  13. ^ Aratani, Lauren (2023-05-31). "US eating disorder helpline takes down AI chatbot over harmful advice". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-01.

Further reading

  • Cassell, Dana K., and David H. Gleaves. Foreword. The Encyclopedia of Obesity and Eating Disorders. 3rd edition. New York: Infobase, 2006. ISBN 978-0-8160-6197-6.
  • Costin, Carolyn. The Eating Disorder Sourcebook. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. ISBN 0-07-147685-7.
  • DeBate, Rita, Heather Blunt, and Marion Ann Becker. "Eating Disorders." Ed. Bruce Lubotsky Levin and Marion Ann Becker. A Public Health Perspective of Women's Mental Health. New York: Springer, 2010. ISBN 978-1-4419-1525-2.
  • Garner, David M., and Paul E. Garfinkel, eds. Handbook of Treatment for Eating Disorders. 2nd edition. New York: Guilford, 1997. ISBN 978-1-57230-186-3.
  • Kramer, Gerri Freid. The Truth About Eating Disorders. 2nd edition. New York: Infobase, 2009. ISBN 0-8160-7633-2.

External links

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