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| In a 2018 report for the '']'', ] 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.<ref name="Radford 2018">{{cite journal |last1=Radford |first1=Ben |date=2018 |title=Medical Misinformation in the Media: Is Anorexia on the Rise? |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |publisher=Committee for Skeptical Inquirer |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=46–49 |authorlink=Ben Radford}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=this is one person's statement. is there any further evidence of this?|date=May 2023}} | In a 2018 report for the '']'', ] 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.<ref name="Radford 2018">{{cite journal |last1=Radford |first1=Ben |date=2018 |title=Medical Misinformation in the Media: Is Anorexia on the Rise? |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |publisher=Committee for Skeptical Inquirer |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=46–49 |authorlink=Ben Radford}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=this is one person's statement. is there any further evidence of this?|date=May 2023}} | ||
| == |
== Activities == | ||
| NEDA holds "National Eating Disorder Awareness Week" annually during the last week of February.<ref>Costin, p. 297.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Serterides |first=Allie |date=2023-02-28 |title=39th annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week emphasizes strength through experience, knowledge |url=https://badgerherald.com/news/2023/02/28/39th-annual-eating-disorders-awareness-week-emphasizes-strength-through-experience-knowledge |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The Badger Herald}}</ref> It has hosted ] for eating disorder awareness in various U.S. cities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trezza |first=Matt |date=2023-05-13 |title=Orlando community walks with NEDA to support those with eating disorders |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/orlando-community-walks-with-neda-to-support-those-with-eating-disorders |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=FOX 35 Orlando |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ASU alumna, students assist in upcoming Phoenix National Eating Disorder Awareness Walk - |url=https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/03/phoenix-eating-disorder-awareness-walk-2023 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The Arizona State Press |language=en-US}}</ref> | NEDA holds "National Eating Disorder Awareness Week" annually during the last week of February.<ref>Costin, p. 297.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Serterides |first=Allie |date=2023-02-28 |title=39th annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week emphasizes strength through experience, knowledge |url=https://badgerherald.com/news/2023/02/28/39th-annual-eating-disorders-awareness-week-emphasizes-strength-through-experience-knowledge |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The Badger Herald}}</ref> It has hosted ] for eating disorder awareness in various U.S. cities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trezza |first=Matt |date=2023-05-13 |title=Orlando community walks with NEDA to support those with eating disorders |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/orlando-community-walks-with-neda-to-support-those-with-eating-disorders |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=FOX 35 Orlando |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ASU alumna, students assist in upcoming Phoenix National Eating Disorder Awareness Walk - |url=https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/03/phoenix-eating-disorder-awareness-walk-2023 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The Arizona State Press |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
| THE FEEDING HOPE FUND FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH | |||
| Since 2013, the National Eating Disorders Association has awarded $2.5 million in research grants to 23 researchers. NEDA is committed to providing help and hope to those affected by eating disorders. To this end, NEDA’s Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research aims to support projects that will improve the lives of individuals affected by eating disorders. | |||
| '''2022 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| '''Janet A. Lydecker, Ph.D., F.A.E.D., Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry''' | |||
| ''Mixed Methods Study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Teens who have Bulimia Nervosa and Higher Weight'' | |||
| ''Awareness that eating disorders affect diverse individuals, including people with higher weight, has increased. Yet, people with higher weight are underrepresented in eating disorder studies. There is essentially no evidence for the treatment of youth with bulimia nervosa (BN) and higher weight. The aim of the proposed project is to test the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) among youth with BN and higher weight in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study will also conduct timeline interviews about BN development and weight stigma experiences to identify critical intervention periods.'' | |||
| '''Alexandra Muratore, Ph.D., Clinical Medical Psychology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center''' | |||
| ''Advancing Neurostimulation Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa'' | |||
| ''The salient and life-threatening behavioral feature of AN is extreme restriction of calorie intake, which is highly resistant to change and predictive of poor outcome. We recently established that a single session of neuronavigation-guided high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF- rTMS) to a region of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is associated with significant reduction in restrictive food choices during a computerized food choice task. This effect is particularly notable because eating patterns are extremely difficult to change, even with a complete course of inpatient weight restoration treatment. A strength of this TMS research is that we used a mechanism-based approach and targeted a neural region involved in restrictive eating in AN. A crucial next step to improving treatment outcomes in AN is to test the effects of a full course of HF-rTMS on eating behavior and weight outcomes in a pilot clinical trial among inpatients with AN.'' | |||
| '''Rachel Vanderkruik, Ph.D., MsC, Center for Women’s Mental Health, Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital''' | |||
| ''Preventing Eating Disorder Relapse Among At-Risk Perinatal Women'' | |||
| ''The normal physical changes associated with pregnancy, such as weight gain, move women away from the “thin ideal” for women’s bodies, which may increase body image dissatisfaction, a strong risk factor for disordered eating. Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors are relatively common in pregnancy and postpartum. Further, pregnancy can be a trigger for relapse among some women with histories of an eating disorder (ED). Given the detrimental physical and mental health consequences of EDs to both mother and offspring, relapse prevention efforts should be a public health priority among at risk women in pregnancy. To-date, there is a lack of ED prevention programs that target women in pregnancy. We propose to adapt and test The Body Project program among pregnant women with histories of eating disorders. We predict that participation in The Body Project program will reduce ED symptoms and ED relapse in pregnancy and the postpartum period.'' | |||
| '''2021 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| '''Laura Berner, Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine''' | |||
| ''Neurofeedback during Eating: A Novel Mechanistic Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa'' | |||
| This study aims to test a new intervention for Bulimia Nervosa (BN) that seeks to self-modify brain activity, utilizing neurofeedback via a wearable brain imaging device (functional near-infrared spectroscopy; fNIRS). Specifically, the treatment is focused on improving brain frontal lobe (prefrontal cortex; PFC) self-regulatory control in order to stop binge eating. Findings from this study may further our understanding of such symptom-maintaining mechanisms of BN, and can contribute to a therapeutic intervention that may help individuals with BN. Of note, this fNIRS technology has shown promise in other disorders (e.g., substance use disorders), where there are similar impulses, urges, and cravings, to engage in repetitive, maladaptive behaviors. | |||
| '''Erin Accurso, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine''' | |||
| ''Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention Adaptation for Adults with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder on Public Health Insurance'' | |||
| This study aims to refine and test an online guided self-help (i.e., coached) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based mobile application for Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) among adults with public health insurance. This population, including many individuals who are from lower socio-economic status (SES) and racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds, has been greatly underserved in evidenced-based intervention (EBI) access. The current project is focused on increasing the accessibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and affordability of the mobile application, leveraging NEDA’s online screening tool to reach this population, as well as engaging with a Stakeholder Advisory Board of community mental health centers to understand how this target population could best be reached, and to inform mobile intervention adaptations. | |||
| '''2020 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| '''Rebecca Eyre, Project HEAL, Cheri Levinson, Ph.D., University of Louisville''' | |||
| ''Barriers to Treatment Access (BTA) Study for Individuals with Eating Disorders'' | |||
| This study aims to quantify the systemic barriers that people in the U.S. face when seeking ED treatment. Additional aims include: 1) quantifying specific healthcare and financial barriers; 2) identifying patterns and trends in the systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers, and determine which barriers are more or less commonly experienced by people of different geographies, ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, body sizes, insurance plans, diagnostic profiles, and treatment histories; and 3) obtaining data to support future efforts to reform the ED treatment landscape, in order to influence future policy and legal changes within all levels of the healthcare system to ensure equitable healthcare access for people with ED in the U.S. | |||
| '''Walter Kaye, M.D., Stephanie Knatz-Peck, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego''' | |||
| ''New Directions in Virtual and Online Temperament-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders'' | |||
| This study aims to address the critical need to develop and test neurobiologically-targeted treatments for adults with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The treatment model is a mixture of Family Based Treatment (FBT) and Temperament-Based Treatment with Supports (TBT-S), focusing on psychoeducation of the neurobiology of AN, to produce an Intensive Family Treatment (IFT). The original treatment model was based on face to face sessions for 5 days, with promising pilot study data (2017). The virtual model of this treatment now has advantages for facilitating training and dissemination, offering COVID19 related telehealth benefits, and through pilot data, suggesting acceptability and feasibility that are similar to the face to face IFT treatment model. | |||
| '''2019 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| Note: FHF Grants were not awarded this year. | |||
| '''2018 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| '''C. Barr Taylor, M.D., Palo Alto University''' | |||
| ''Automating Coaching to Facilitate Dissemination of an Effective Prevention Program.'' | |||
| This study aims to develop a scalable, low-cost eating disorders prevention resource. They have created a moderated, fully automated version of the StudentBodies© program using a specialized chatbot called Tessa™. Tessa™ provides users with access to brief, online StudentBodies© sessions, which contain essential components of targeted prevention. Having already developed a prototype of the StudentBodies© and Tessa™ program, the researchers will now determine if the intervention is effective in reducing eating disorders risk factors. | |||
| '''Rachel W. Goode, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill''' | |||
| ''Preventing Binge Eating Disorder among Black women in Primary Care.'' | |||
| As African American women have the lowest rates of access to care for eating disorders treatment, the researcher proposes recruiting African American women with weekly binge eating episodes from UNC for a trial to examine the feasibility and accessibility of six-month Appetite Awareness Training (AAT). Currently, intervention research addressing binge eating behaviors among African American women is extremely scarce. She will conduct key informant interviews with UNC Department of Family Medicine staff and participants to determine the accessibility of the AAT intervention in the primary care setting. | |||
| '''Stuart Murray, Ph.D.,''' University of California, San Francisco | |||
| ''The Open Versus Blind Weight Conundrum in Anorexia Nervosa.'' | |||
| This study aims to examine whether open versus blind weighing practices impact subjective distress around being weighed; anorexia nervosa symptom severity; and treatment outcome in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. It will examine whether the discrepancy between predicted versus actual weight is associated with distress around being weighed and anorexia nervosa symptom severity, and examine whether baseline clinical or patient characteristics moderate the impact of either open or blind weighing practices upon distress around weighing, or severity across time points. | |||
| '''2017 RECIPIENTS''' | |||
| '''Cristin Runfola, Ph.D., and Debra Safer, M.D., Stanford University''' | |||
| ''Virtual Reality Intervention Adaptation to a Real-World Clinic Setting.'' | |||
| This study aims to adapt and enhance existing virtual reality protocols for a U.S. population within an adult outpatient clinical setting, leveraging the increased efficacy of VR to improve outcomes and efficiency of care. Year one of the study will focus on operational adaptations of the existing European protocols, including software development, the creation of a treatment manual, and a clinician training protocol for binge-related EDs (BED/BN/OSFED). Year two of the study will test feasibility and acceptability of the protocol for both clinicians and patients. | |||
| '''Lisa Ranzenhofer, Ph.D., Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene''' | |||
| ''Evaluation of Communities of HEALing Mentorship and Social Support Programs for Individuals with Eating Disorders: Assessment of Feasibility and Efficacy'' | |||
| The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of peer mentorship as an adjunct intervention in patients with eating disorders. | |||
| '''D. Catherine Walker, Ph.D., Union College''' | |||
| ''In the Mirror: Functional Appreciated Bodies (IM FAB).'' | |||
| Walker's project aims to examine the concept of promoting attention toward body functionality and gratitude by using a weekly functionality-based mirror exposure and body functionality gratitude “journaling” text prompts throughout the week, for three weeks, to examine whether this helps foster positive body image and decreases eating disorder symptoms in a sample of undergraduate females, a population at particularly high risk of body image dissatisfaction and consequent eating disorder development. | |||
| '''2017 Eating Recovery Foundation Early Career Investigator Recipient''' | |||
| '''Kelsie Forbush, Ph.D., University of Kansas''' | |||
| ''Development and Validation of an Adaptive Mobile Phone App to Identify Clients at Risk for Treatment Failure.'' | |||
| The objective in this application is to develop and validate a brief, user-friendly measure to identify ED treatment failures. To accomplish this, a computerized adaptive delivered within the app will be employed to signal clinicians when their clients are at risk for treatment failure. | |||
| 2016 RECIPIENTS | |||
| '''James Lock, MD, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine''' | |||
| ''Treating Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorders (AFRID) Using Family-Based Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.'' | |||
| This project will test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention, Family-Based Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (FBT-ARFID) for patients ages 5-12 years old. Although ARFID was formally introduced in DSM-5, no specialized intervention has yet been empirically studied. This disorder afflicts a non-traditional eating disorders patient population, including younger patients, more males, and patients with greater co-occurring anxiety. As such, patients with ARFID need an intervention that relies on a strong, evidence-based foundation, which can be adapted to the qualities of this new patient group. | |||
| '''Allegra Broft, MD, Columbia Center for Eating Disorders''' | |||
| ''Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a New Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa.'' | |||
| Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder for which much remains to be learned about neurobiology of the illness. Novel treatment strategies, including biologically-based treatments, are sorely needed. The proposed study will examine whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can alter eating-related behavior in AN, as demonstrated by its ability to move the needle on a neurocognitive task that has previously been shown to be of direct relevance to the maladaptive restrictive eating behavior of AN. | |||
| 2016 Eating Recovery Foundation Early Career Investigator Recipient | |||
| '''Jocelyn LeBow, PhD, University of Minnesota''' | |||
| ''Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy for Adolescent Eating Disorders.'' | |||
| Recently, Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy (ICAT), a novel intervention for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) that targets emotion regulation deficits, has shown promise in reducing eating disorder symptoms as well as improving emotion regulation capacities in adults. However, this treatment has not yet been investigated in an adolescent sample. The aim of this study is to adapt the existing adult ICAT treatment for adolescents with clinically significant binge eating (ICAT-A) and to evaluate the extent to which ICAT-A is helpful in reducing binge eating and associated eating disorder symptoms in a younger sample. | |||
| 2015 RECIPIENTS | |||
| '''Adrienne Juarascio, PhD, Drexel University''' | |||
| ''Outside the Therapy Office: Enhancing Integrative-Cognitive Affective Therapy With Ecological Momentary Interventions to Improve Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa.'' | |||
| This project aims to develop a smartphone application that will deliver “in-the-moment” interventions based on principles of integrative-cognitive affective therapy to patients with bulimia nervosa. This approach could enhance the efficacy of this therapy method by providing access to skills during moments of negative affect and urges to use eating disordered symptoms that occur in between therapy sessions. The team will develop this system and assess the feasibility and acceptability of this novel approach to treatment. It would also provide valuable pilot data to support a future randomized clinical trial. | |||
| '''S. Bryn Austin, ScD, Boston Children’s Hospital''' | |||
| ''The Economic Case for Eating Disorders Prevention and Early Detection: A Comparative Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Six Intervention Strategies.'' | |||
| The goal of this study is to conduct a comparative cost-effectiveness analysis of six intervention strategies to advance primary prevention and early detection of eating disorders. The overall aim is to estimate the potential reductions in morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs due to prevention and early detection of eating disorders. The research team will evaluate a school health promotion program, school- and clinic-based screenings for early detection and several policy interventions to restrict youth access to diet pills on the consumer market. The team will also develop a microsimulation model to project the impact that primary prevention and early detection will have on the long-term health of adolescents and young adults. | |||
| 2014 RECIPIENTS | |||
| '''Christina Wierenga, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego''' | |||
| ''An Innovative Family Based Treatment for Adults with Anorexia Nervosa Using Insights from Neurobiology.'' | |||
| This innovative study aims to develop a treatment for severe anorexia nervosa that targets the core neurobiologically based mechanisms that maintain the disorder to improve eating behavior, reduce symptoms and improve family function for patients and their families. This pilot study will measure the effectiveness of a novel experiential family-based treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa, integrating neurobiological insights on temperament, cognition and eating. | |||
| '''Joanna Steinglass, M.D., Columbia University Medical Center''' | |||
| ''Changing Habits in AN: A Novel Approach.'' | |||
| Researchers will develop the Regulating Emotions and Changing Habits (REACH) program. This is a novel treatment that will directly target maladaptive behaviors in anorexia nervosa. Researchers will conduct a small randomized controlled trial that will assess the utility of the intervention amont outpatients, collect data for a larger scale trial, and assess the impact of the intervention on the proposed mechanism of habit. | |||
| 2013 RECIPIENTS | |||
| '''Daniel LeGrange, PhD, The University of Chicago''' | |||
| ''Family Based-Treatment Without Borders: Utilizing Telemedicine to Deliver Family-Based Therapy (FBT).'' | |||
| This innovative study aims to address families’ need in remote, rural or underrepresented parts the United States by delivering Family-Based Therapy (FBT) via telemedicine (FBT-TM). FBT has been shown to be effective for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa. However, accessing FBT has proven challenging for the many families who do not reside near an FBT therapist. This study will determine whether FBT can be conducted via telemedicine right in a patient’s home. | |||
| '''Denise Wilfley, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis''' | |||
| ''Harnessing Technology for Training Therapists to Deliver Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).'' | |||
| Researchers will aim to develop an online training platform for IPT and conduct a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and accessibility of this approach. This study will examine whether the power of the internet can be utilized to train therapists to deliver a proven interpersonal psychotherapy for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. | |||
| In 2012, NEDA launched Proud2BMe, a website aimed at teenagers to promote positive body image and healthy eating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pinterest Boards Encourage Eating Disorders |url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/pinterest-boards-encourage-eating-disorders |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> | In 2012, NEDA launched Proud2BMe, a website aimed at teenagers to promote positive body image and healthy eating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pinterest Boards Encourage Eating Disorders |url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/pinterest-boards-encourage-eating-disorders |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| === Accusations of union busting and Tessa chatbot rollout === | === Accusations of union busting and Tessa chatbot rollout === | ||
| On 24 May 2023, ] broke the story that a NEDA executive had chosen to fire all helpline staff and dismiss hundreds of volunteers four days after the helpline workers certified their vote to unionize.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Kate |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Can a chatbot help people with eating disorders as well as another human? |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/05/24/1177847298/can-a-chatbot-help-people-with-eating-disorders-as-well-as-another-human}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National Eating Disorders Association {{!}} National Labor Relations Board |url=https://www.nlrb.gov/case/02-RC-309738 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.nlrb.gov}}</ref> According to ], the new AI bot is set to replace workers on June 1, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AI chatbot will replace human helpline workers at National Eating Disorder Association |url=https://fortune.com/well/2023/05/26/national-eating-disorder-association-ai-chatbot-tessa/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Fortune Well |language=en}}</ref> Six full-time staff members and all of the over 200 volunteers they oversee were dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Kate |date=May 31, 2023 |title=National Eating Disorders Association phases out human helpline, pivots to chatbot |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/05/31/1179244569/national-eating-disorders-association-phases-out-human-helpline-pivots-to-chatbo}}</ref> NEDA Chairman and ] Chief Risk Officer Geoffrey Craddock is on leaked audio firing the staff.<ref>MassMutual Executive Board. Geoffrey Craddock, Chief Risk Officer. https://www.massmutual.com/about-us/corporate-governance</ref><ref name=":0" /> Their replacement is an AI chatbot named “Tessa,” whose creator, Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft of ], is on record stating that the bot is not capable of replicating human empathy or responding to complex, open-ended discussions with people in crisis.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| On June 9th, Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmon Craft published an article in STAT that laid to rest the mischaracterization of the use of Tessa, the chatbot, explaining: While it is true that NEDA made the difficult decision to close its helpline after almost 25 years of service to the community, Tessa was never intended to replace the helpline or to help people who currently are in the throes of an eating disorder. Right now, it’s delivering tools to try to prevent the ''onset'' of eating disorders, providing individuals with new strategies to manage their concerns about their body and address their eating — something that is otherwise not available and a service that people could previously be directed to by helpline volunteers as a way to get some help.<ref>https://www.statnews.com/2023/06/09/eating-disorder-chatbot-neda-tessa/ | |||
| </ref> | |||
| The helpline workers formed “Helpline Associates United” joined ], Chapter 1101.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Union |first=NEDA Helpline Associates |title=NEDA Helpline Associates Union |url=https://squashthepastriarchy.com/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=NEDA Helpline Associates Union |language=en-US}}</ref> HLA member Abbie Harper wrote on their website, “We asked for adequate staffing and ongoing training to keep up with our changing and growing Helpline, and opportunities for promotion to grow within NEDA. We didn’t even ask for more money. When NEDA refused , we filed for an election with the ] and won on March 17. Then, four days after our election results were certified, all four of us were told we were being let go and replaced by a chatbot.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xiang |first=Chloe |date=2023-05-25 |title=Eating Disorder Helpline Fires Staff, Transitions to Chatbot After Unionization |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7ezkm/eating-disorder-helpline-fires-staff-transitions-to-chatbot-after-unionization |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| On June 7th, the Wall Street Journal published a story revealing the tech company, Cass, introduced generative AI into the product without the knowledge or permission of NEDA.<ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-chatbot-went-rogue-431ff9f9?st=6iytalhfkzawofx&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink</ref> | |||
| Upon its launch, the Tessa chatbot immediately came under widespread criticism from journalists and eating disorder activists. Multiple media outlets reported that the chatbot failed to respond to intuitive prompts including, "I hate my body," and “I want to be thin so badly.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xiang |first=Chloe |date=2023-05-25 |title=Eating Disorder Helpline Fires Staff, Transitions to Chatbot After Unionization |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7ezkm/eating-disorder-helpline-fires-staff-transitions-to-chatbot-after-unionization |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Eating Disorder Helpline to Replace Human Staff With AI Chatbot |url=https://gizmodo.com/eating-disorder-helpline-ai-chatbot-1850476378 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref> NEDA executives publicly denied that the chatbot was meant to replace the human helpline.<ref name=":0" /> NEDA’s unilateral firing of the newly unionized employees was announced four days after the union’s certification by the National Labor Relations Board and allegedly violated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the ] and charges of unfair labor practices were filed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Labor Relations Act {{!}} National Labor Relations Board |url=https://www.nlrb.gov/guidance/key-reference-materials/national-labor-relations-act |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.nlrb.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NEDA - National Eating Disorders Association {{!}} National Labor Relations Board |url=https://www.nlrb.gov/case/02-CA-317742 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.nlrb.gov}}</ref> Harper wrote, “NEDA claims this was a long-anticipated change and that AI can better serve those with eating disorders. But do not be fooled—this isn’t really about a chatbot. This is about union busting, plain and simple.”<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| On May 29, 2023, activist Sharon Maxwell tested the Tessa chatbot and was promptly given advice for calorie counting, setting weight loss goals, weekly weigh-ins and using skinfold calipers for measuring body fat; all of which are components of disordered eating and poor body image.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crimmins |first=Tricia |date=2023-05-30 |title='This robot causes harm': National Eating Disorders Association's new chatbot advises people with disordering eating to lose weight |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/neda-chatbot-weight-loss/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref> Upon posting the details of her problematic exchange with Tessa, Maxwell was accused of lying by NEDA Vice President of Communications and Marketing Sarah Chase on ], who later retracted and deleted her accusations after being presented with screenshots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Taylor |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Eating disorder helpline fires AI for harmful advice after sacking humans |url=https://nypost.com/2023/05/31/eating-disorder-helpline-fires-ai-for-harmful-advice-after-sacking-humans/}}</ref> Following a deluge of negative press, 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">{{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> On June 1, 2023, the human staff of the NEDA Helpline posted a statement following their dismissal which read in part, "The alarming failure of the Tessa chatbot serves as further validation that perhaps human empathy is best left to humanity."<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://twitter.com/HLAUnited/status/1664391507682492420/photo/1 |url=https://twitter.com/HLAUnited/status/1664391507682492420/photo/1 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| On 24 May 2023, ] broke the story that NEDA had chosen to release all helpline staff and dismiss ninety volunteers four days after the helpline workers certified their vote to unionize . <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Kate |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Can a chatbot help people with eating disorders as well as another human? |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/05/24/1177847298/can-a-chatbot-help-people-with-eating-disorders-as-well-as-another-human}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 09:52, 11 June 2023
Non-profit organization in the USA | |
| Abbreviation | NEDA |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 4, 1987; 37 years ago (1987-05-04) |
| Merger of | Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention, American Anorexia Bulimia Association |
| Tax ID no. | 13-3444882 |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | To support individuals and families affected by eating disorders and to serve as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. |
| Headquarters | 333 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 214, White Plains, New York 10605, United States |
| Revenue | $3,935,171 (2016) |
| Expenses | $3,619,563 (2016) |
| Employees | 22 (2015) |
| Volunteers | 300 (2015) |
| Website | www |
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.
Accusations of union busting and Tessa chatbot rollout
On 24 May 2023, NPR broke the story that a NEDA executive had chosen to fire all helpline staff and dismiss hundreds of volunteers four days after the helpline workers certified their vote to unionize. According to Fortune, the new AI bot is set to replace workers on June 1, 2023. Six full-time staff members and all of the over 200 volunteers they oversee were dismissed. NEDA Chairman and MassMutual Chief Risk Officer Geoffrey Craddock is on leaked audio firing the staff. Their replacement is an AI chatbot named “Tessa,” whose creator, Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft of Washington University of St. Louis, is on record stating that the bot is not capable of replicating human empathy or responding to complex, open-ended discussions with people in crisis.
The helpline workers formed “Helpline Associates United” joined Communications Workers of America, Chapter 1101. HLA member Abbie Harper wrote on their website, “We asked for adequate staffing and ongoing training to keep up with our changing and growing Helpline, and opportunities for promotion to grow within NEDA. We didn’t even ask for more money. When NEDA refused , we filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board and won on March 17. Then, four days after our election results were certified, all four of us were told we were being let go and replaced by a chatbot.” Upon its launch, the Tessa chatbot immediately came under widespread criticism from journalists and eating disorder activists. Multiple media outlets reported that the chatbot failed to respond to intuitive prompts including, "I hate my body," and “I want to be thin so badly.” NEDA executives publicly denied that the chatbot was meant to replace the human helpline. NEDA’s unilateral firing of the newly unionized employees was announced four days after the union’s certification by the National Labor Relations Board and allegedly violated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the National Labor Relations Act and charges of unfair labor practices were filed. Harper wrote, “NEDA claims this was a long-anticipated change and that AI can better serve those with eating disorders. But do not be fooled—this isn’t really about a chatbot. This is about union busting, plain and simple.”
On May 29, 2023, activist Sharon Maxwell tested the Tessa chatbot and was promptly given advice for calorie counting, setting weight loss goals, weekly weigh-ins and using skinfold calipers for measuring body fat; all of which are components of disordered eating and poor body image. Upon posting the details of her problematic exchange with Tessa, Maxwell was accused of lying by NEDA Vice President of Communications and Marketing Sarah Chase on Twitter, who later retracted and deleted her accusations after being presented with screenshots. Following a deluge of negative press, 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." On June 1, 2023, the human staff of the NEDA Helpline posted a statement following their dismissal which read in part, "The alarming failure of the Tessa chatbot serves as further validation that perhaps human empathy is best left to humanity."
See also
References
- "National Eating Disorders Association". Division of Corporations. Delaware Department of State. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- ^ "National Eating Disorders Association". Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- ^ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". National Eating Disorders Association. Guidestar. April 30, 2016.
- "National Eating Disorders Association". Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- Radford, Ben (2018). "Medical Misinformation in the Media: Is Anorexia on the Rise?". Skeptical Inquirer. 42 (1). Committee for Skeptical Inquirer: 46–49.
- Costin, p. 297.
- Serterides, Allie (2023-02-28). "39th annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week emphasizes strength through experience, knowledge". The Badger Herald. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- Trezza, Matt (2023-05-13). "Orlando community walks with NEDA to support those with eating disorders". FOX 35 Orlando. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- "ASU alumna, students assist in upcoming Phoenix National Eating Disorder Awareness Walk -". The Arizona State Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- "Pinterest Boards Encourage Eating Disorders". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ Wells, Kate (May 24, 2023). "Can a chatbot help people with eating disorders as well as another human?".
- "National Eating Disorders Association | National Labor Relations Board". www.nlrb.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- "AI chatbot will replace human helpline workers at National Eating Disorder Association". Fortune Well. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- Wells, Kate (May 31, 2023). "National Eating Disorders Association phases out human helpline, pivots to chatbot".
- MassMutual Executive Board. Geoffrey Craddock, Chief Risk Officer. https://www.massmutual.com/about-us/corporate-governance
- ^ Union, NEDA Helpline Associates. "NEDA Helpline Associates Union". NEDA Helpline Associates Union. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- Xiang, Chloe (2023-05-25). "Eating Disorder Helpline Fires Staff, Transitions to Chatbot After Unionization". Vice. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- Xiang, Chloe (2023-05-25). "Eating Disorder Helpline Fires Staff, Transitions to Chatbot After Unionization". Vice. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- "Eating Disorder Helpline to Replace Human Staff With AI Chatbot". Gizmodo. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- "National Labor Relations Act | National Labor Relations Board". www.nlrb.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- "NEDA - National Eating Disorders Association | National Labor Relations Board". www.nlrb.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- Crimmins, Tricia (2023-05-30). "'This robot causes harm': National Eating Disorders Association's new chatbot advises people with disordering eating to lose weight". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- Knight, Taylor (May 31, 2023). "Eating disorder helpline fires AI for harmful advice after sacking humans".
- 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.
- "https://twitter.com/HLAUnited/status/1664391507682492420/photo/1". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
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