Why We CARE

Eating disorders (EDs) have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness, yet treatments are effective for only 40-60% of clients who seek treatment.

There is a dire clinical need for research to identify the underlying causes of eating disorders, ensuring that they can be accurately identified by healthcare providers and that patients receive swift and effective interventions. Without research to evaluate the effective assessment and treatment of eating disorders, people with eating disorders will continue to "slip through the cracks" in the healthcare system and not live the productive, high-quality lives that they deserve. 

The Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors, or CARE, is a diverse and dedicated team committed to advancing knowledge in the field of eating disorders. Based at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, KS, we conduct innovative and transformative research to better identify persons with disordered eating issues for early screening, intervention, and treatment progress monitoring.

To further our goals, we maintain a sub-initiative housed within CARE called COPE, or the Center for Overcoming Problem Eating. Our COPE team is composed of skilled clinical psychologists, graduate researchers, and undergraduate research assistants dedicated to issuing treatment that is efficient, engaging, convenient, and efficacious.

Ultimately, our mission is to improve the way eating disorders are assessed, diagnosed, and treated while providing our study participants with a supportive and sensitive research experience.