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Maximizing the public health impact of eating disorder services: A simulation study
Author(s) -
Moessner Markus,
Bauer Stephanie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22792
Subject(s) - public health , population , medicine , disease , psychological intervention , health care , disease burden , environmental health , burden of disease , gerontology , eating disorders , psychiatry , nursing , pathology , economics , economic growth
Objective Although effective interventions for eating disorders (ED) are available, the impact of health care services on a population level is far from satisfactory. A mathematical model of how health care for ED affects the population's disease burden can stimulate discussions and provide guidance about promising strategies to reduce ED‐related suffering on the population level. Method The current health care situation for ED is modeled taking into account the reach and effectiveness of prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as well as incidence rates, relapse rates, and rates for spontaneous remissions. A first‐order Markov model is applied and the effect of changes in single service parameters on the populations overall disease burden are simulated. Results Improvements of treatment utilization and the reach of prevention programs would have the largest effects on the population's disease burden. Improving the efficacy of treatment, prevention, and aftercare show only limited effects. Discussion In order to maximize the public health impact of health care for ED new models of treatment delivery as well as public health approaches to the prevention of ED are critical.