Diane Rehm, longtime NPR radio host, first raised awareness about VSED when her husband, John, decided to stop eating and drinking as his Parkinson’s Disease progressed in 2014. While this afforded John some control over how his life ended, Diane questioned why he did not have a gentler and less drawn-out option.

Medical Aid in Dying for the terminally ill is not an option in Ohio yet, so Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) is one way terminally ill people can have some control over hastening their death. Anyone considering it must have supportive medical care and a community able to care for them. It is unclear how often people decide to pursue VSED in Ohio or how educated or supportive  healthcare teams are in providing care in these circumstances. 

The organization VSED Resources Northwest, VSEDresources.com, has excellent guidance for patients, loved ones and clinicians.

The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management published comprehensive Clinical Guidelines for Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) in November 2023.