In this compelling episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, a physician, speaker, and consultant specializing in addictions, eating disorders, trauma, and intergenerational trauma. Dr. Ross shares her unique journey into the field of eating disorders, beginning as a medical director of a treatment center in San Diego and influenced by her family's experiences with eating disorders and mental health challenges. Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH, CEDS is a physcian, speaker and consultant on addictions, eating disorders, trauma and intergenerational trauma. She is co-founder of InclusiveMinds Consulting – a group that offers trainings to organizations on creating trauma-informed, inclusive and equitable workplaces. She is a co-editor of a soon to be published book “Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism” (due June 2024 by Oxford University Press).

Dr. Ross emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care in eating disorder treatment and discusses how treatment centers can better serve diverse populations. She shares her current work in consulting on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, helping organizations develop more inclusive and equitable treatment environments.    

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Evolution of Eating Disorder Treatment
  • The impact of social media on body image and eating disorders
  • The Health at Every Size movement and its current challenges
  • The rise of weight loss medications (GLP-1s) and their implications
  • Changes in treatment approaches over the years
  • The role of integrative medicine in eating disorder treatment
Cultural Competence and Treatment Access
  • The equal prevalence of eating disorders across racial groups
  • Barriers to treatment access for people of color
  • The impact of systemic racism on treatment availability
  • The importance of cultural competence in treatment centers
  • The economic benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare
Professional Training and Education Gaps
  • Limited cultural competence training in professional education
  • The need for systematic changes in educational programs
  • The importance of ongoing staff training in cultural competence
  • The role of social work programs in addressing cultural competence
Common Myths and Misconceptions
  • The persistent myth that eating disorders only affect white teenage females
  • Underdiagnosis of eating disorders in communities of color
  • Cultural stigma and internalized bias in seeking treatment
  • The impact of cultural beliefs on seeking mental health support

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THE EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:56 Meet Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross
  • 01:31 Cultural Competence in Eating Disorder Treatment
  • 02:37 Dr. Ross's Journey and Insights
  • 04:33 Challenges and Changes in Eating Disorder Treatment
  • 09:48 Integrative Medicine and Trauma-Informed Care
  • 15:47 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Treatment
  • 31:30 Final Thoughts and Resources

HOW TO CONNECT WITH DR. ROSS TO LEARN MORE:

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**Disclaimer:**

This podcast is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. It is given with the understanding that neither the host, the publisher, nor the guests are rendering legal, clinical, or other professional information. If you want or need a professional, you should find one to work with who can address your individual needs and situation.