Rethinking Access to Evidence-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders: A Commentary on Ali et al. 2024

This commentary responds to the recent paper by Ali et al on the unmet treatment need for eating disorders. The commentary examines the ongoing barriers to accessing evidence-based treatments for eating disorders and considers the example of Australian initiatives like the Medicare Benefit Scheme's Eating Disorder Plan, which offers subsidized psychological and dietetic services. A recent review of the plan revealed uptake has been low, with significant disparities in access, particularly in underserved populations and those in rural and remote areas. The commentary highlights new areas to guide our thinking about closing the treatment gap, such as the role of virtual and/or hybrid models of care delivery, digital health tools, improving how we communicate about what we do, and the importance of shifting from a top-down approach to service design to human-centered, co-created models that better meet the needs of consumers. If we are to truly close the gap in the next 10 years, the landscape of eating disorder treatment requires bold, forward-thinking solutions-solutions that are not only reflective of the real, lived experiences of those affected but are also continuously evaluated and refined as they scale.