Annual event raises awareness for statewide health condition that is largely ignored.
LOUISVILLE The Kentucky Eating Disorder Council (KEDC), established in 2020 when Governor Andy Beshear signed KRS 210.051, held its 4th Annual Advocacy Day at the Capitol Rotunda on February 28, 2024. This event was hosted by Andrea Krause, MD, chair of KEDC.
For 2024, the KEDC established the KEDC Champion Awards to recognize some of the providers and advocates working across Kentucky to address eating disorders. This year the Council recognized four Champions: Brittany Badal, MD, with Norton Healthcare, for her work in Treatment and Recovery;
Dennis Wilson for Community Awareness for his work founding Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders; Kari Gerth, LCSW, with University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital, for her work in Prevention and Education; and Dr. Zubi Suleman in Advocacy and Legislation for increasing awareness in medical professionals and working on policy and resolution of eating disorders, which is now formally integrated into the KMA policy framework.
KEDC’s mission is to support evidence-based eating disorder education, awareness, and treatment initiatives through ongoing research, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. KEDC is focused on developing and implementing eating disorder awareness, education, and prevention programs; identifying strategies for improving access to adequate diagnosis and treatment services; assisting the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) in identifying eating disorder research projects; reviewing data collection and collaborating on research projects; and making legislative recommendations as appropriate.
The KEDC’s Advocacy Day is the Wednesday of the last week of February during the National Eating Disorder Association’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week. All KEDC meetings and activities, including Advocacy Day, are open to anyone interested in supporting the mission and vision.