Early Intervention Programs for Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious but treatable conditions with the highest mortality rates among mental health disorders, accounting for approximately 10% to 15% of mental illness deaths. According to a Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) report, hospitalizations for young females with eating disorders increased by more than 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the reported increase underestimates the accurate picture, because some young people from communities that are underserved or from less-affluent neighbourhoods have difficulty accessing treatment for eating disorders and are likely to be underrepresented by the hospitalization data.

Although there is evidence indicating that early intervention promotes improved outcomes and sustained recovery, access to treatment often takes a long time. Formalized programs for the provision of early intervention for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders do not exist in the mainstream Canadian health care system. However, recent reports indicate a growing interest in that space.

CADTH undertook a Health Technology Assessment to give health care decision-makers an overview of factors that promote equitable implementation of early intervention programs for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders.