Sign in

Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH

@uressien.bsky.social
1.8K followers 124 following 33 posts

Physician Scientist | Assistant Professor | Coined #Pharmacoequity |Alum HSPH MGH Medicine Einstein Med | Opinions mine

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
CADeN | ReCAD @caden-recad.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Clinicians have tools to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older adults—but what about adults under 65? A new protocol led by our researchers outlines an international modified Delphi study to build expert consensus on PIMs for adults aged 18–65 years. 🔗 tinyurl.com/kpyyverh
223
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com · 10/06/2026
Yesterday, the JAMA Network Open Editorial Board met to discuss plans for the journal, which is dedicated to improving health care and advancing health equity worldwide through the open-access dissemination of research across all health disciplines.
A diverse group of about 25 professionals, varying in age and gender, poses for a group photo. Some are seated in grey chairs in front, others stand behind them. The background is a dark wall with white text listing names of medical pioneers like Hippocrates, Frederick Banting, and the phrase 'PIONEER & MEDICINE'.
074
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
JAMA @jama.com · 19/05/2026
Adjusted analysis demonstrates lower controller inhaler use in Asian, Black, and Hispanic adults with #Asthma than in White adults, despite accounting for clinical, socioeconomic, and health care access factors. ja.ma/3PMQfIs
Dot plots show adjusted inhaler use by race/ethnicity among US adults with asthma, published online May 18, 2026. Graphs display use of inhaled corticosteroids, long/short-acting beta-agonists, and muscarinic antagonists across racial groups, adjusted for demographic factors.
032
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
New simultaneous 📝 at #ATS2026 out in @jama.com: Disparities in Inhaler Utilization Among US Adults w. Asthma. The number to remember: 37%. Only 37% used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), the cornerstone of guideline-based asthma treatment w large racial/ethnic gaps. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
032
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
This #PharmacoequityFriday I’m sharing new research from our team out this week in @jamanetworkopen.com. In a study of 1.6 million adults, we found that folks w. #AFib had >$11 K ⬆️ in annual medical costs (including nearly $2K ⬆️ for 💊💊) vs. those w/o AFib. 📝: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
010
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
A success story for a physician with Alzheimer's which, in spite of the obstacles outlined, is a precursor for our enhanced ability to prevent the disease in the future gift link www.wsj.com/opinion/i-ca...
616564
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Daniella Zipkin MD @danizipkin.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Thrilled to hear @uressien.bsky.social at @dukemedschool.bsky.social speaking on Pharmacoequity
011
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Glad to have contributed to this study examining #Pharmacoequity of newer disease modifying therapies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Take a look at our paper below! 📝: www.jrheum.org/content/52/1...
jrheum.org
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Use Among Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States
To the Editor: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) imposes substantial clinical and economic burdens worldwide.1 Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can control RA symptoms and prevent joint degene...
020
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Pharmacoequity turned 4 years old last month! Had a wonderful time in Ann Arbor last week as this year’s McKesson Equity Series Speaker @ the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy sharing on the past, present, and future of this growing field. Let’s work together to achieve #Pharmacoequity! 💊
000
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Had a wonderful time at the National Academy of Medicine (@nam.edu) Annual Meeting last week, kicking off Year 2 of the Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine! ✨ Always great to connect with mentors, role models, and friends at this meeting and to celebrate the new inductees into the Academy.
020
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Every Wednesday evening for years I’ve opened the @nejm.org weekly email to dozens of the latest clinical trials of exciting new therapies. Yet, the future diffusion and equitable dissemination & implementation of these drugs is FAR less studied. So many opportunities to advance #Pharmacoequity. 💊
050
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Love the idea of a series focused on tobacco cessation globally, esp the role of #Pharmacoequity. 💊 But not sure there is evidence to support that it’s “lagging knowledge” driving ⬇️ rates of treatment in low and middle income countries. 🤔 Hoping for more data ahead. www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
110
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
My patient recently lost his Medicaid insurance and couldn’t afford his meds. Just calculated the cost of his 13 💊 which would be $2300/month. That’s around $27,500/year. The FPL for a family of 4 is ~$32,000. This is not sustainable for the health and lives of our patients! #Pharmacoequity
33612
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Walked into a #RiteAid in CA yday that was EMPTY. Sad. “The hundreds of stores that are set to close within the year will limit many Americans' access to 💊 resulting in "pharmacy deserts"—less-connected communities being left w/o nearby drugstores. #Pharmacoequity www.newsweek.com/rite-aid-cvs...
newsweek.com
Rite Aid closures reach 1,000 as America faces "pharmacy deserts"
The ongoing closure of pharmacies across the country continues to threaten Americans' access to vital medications.
010
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
UCLA Department of Medicine @domucla.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
In this week’s newsletter, we’re celebrating the well-deserved recognition our faculty and trainees have earned for their impact across education, research, clinical care, and community engagement. Read about the latest honors and achievements here: uclahs.fyi/3GZDVQQ
011
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Lilia Cervantes @cervantes-lily1.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
What an outstanding @cudeptofmedicine.bsky.social grand rounds presentation by the inspiring @uressien.bsky.social ! #pharmacoequity "Pursuing Pharmacoequity: The Case of Atrial Fibrillation"
1102
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, PhD @sudkrishnamurthy.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Sharing a short thread here on our recent publication from earlier this month. This project was an incredible team effort, and truly would not have been possible without every co-author on this all-⭐ team! Go give it a read here if interested: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... A short 🧵: (1/x)
This image is a visual abstract for a paper titled ‘Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of ERBB2-Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer, 2010-2020”. This was a Retrospective Cohort study using a SEER-Medicare Linked Dataset. The sample comprised 12,765 beneficiaries with ERBB2-positive breast cancer, and included those diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2020. The primary outcome of the study was receipt of ERBB2-targeted therapy in 12 months after diagnosis. The primary findings showed a) an increase in overall receipt of ERBB2-targeted therapies from 41.3% to 64.3% over time, and that b) Black & Hispanic patients had a lower likelihood of receipt than White patients in 2010-11, with no differences by 2018-19. The findings suggest a narrowing of racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of therapies over time among older Medicare beneficiaries with ERBB2-positive breast cancer. Future work is needed to understand the practices that resulted in the narrowing of disparities to develop implementation strategies and improve pharmacoequity in breast cancer care.
163
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
‼️ New Simultaneous 📝 at #SGIM25. In 2023, lecanemab became the 1st disease-modifying 💊 for Alzheimer’s disease. Led by 🌟 Frank Zhou, we found that early uptake of lecanemab still appears to be marked by racial, ethnic & socioeconomic disparities. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #Pharmacoequity
032
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Congrats to the amazing, Renu! ✨
061
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
seniorpharmassist.bsky.social @seniorpharmassist.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Pharmacoequity matters. Appreciate this work! #AGS25 @uressien.bsky.social
021
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, PhD @sudkrishnamurthy.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
📋‼️Honored to share this newly published article that I helped lead! Cannot thank @uressien.bsky.social enough - he has served as a friend, mentor, and sponsor throughout! And the whole study team who this wouldn’t have happened without!🙏🏽 Will post a longer thread on the findings soon - stay tuned!
This image is a visual abstract for a paper titled ‘Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of ERBB2-Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer, 2010-2020”. This was a Retrospective Cohort study using a SEER-Medicare Linked Dataset. The sample comprised 12,765 beneficiaries with ERBB2-positive breast cancer, and included those diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2020. The primary outcome of the study was receipt of ERBB2-targeted therapy in 12 months after diagnosis. The primary findings showed a) an increase in overall receipt of ERBB2-targeted therapies from 41.3% to 64.3% over time, and that b) Black & Hispanic patients had a lower likelihood of receipt than White patients in 2010-11, with no differences by 2018-19. The findings suggest a narrowing of racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of therapies over time among older Medicare beneficiaries with ERBB2-positive breast cancer. Future work is needed to understand the practices that resulted in the narrowing of disparities to develop implementation strategies and improve pharmacoequity in breast cancer care.
172
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
‼️ NEW Paper. Led by @sudkrishnamurthy.bsky.social we found wide disparities in receipt of ERBB2-targeted 💊 for Medicare enrollees w. breast cancer, disparities that did narrow by 2019. We need more research to identify strategies to improve cancer #Pharmacoequity. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
053
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Michelle Keller, PhD @michelleskeller.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Our new editorial in JAMA Network Open: Lower rates of high-risk med use in minoritized Medicare beneficiaries may reflect access barriers, not better care. Highlights urgent need for equity in deprescribing practices & alternatives to PIMs. With @uressien.bsky.social jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Screenshot of the article, "Disparities in High-Risk Medication Use—Implications for Health Equity and Deprescribing Practices"
121
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
In people with diabetes, GLP-1 and SGLT2i drugs were associated with less Alzheimer's disease and related dementias jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
518545
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
NEW Academic Achievement Unlocked: Fellow of the American College of Physicians! ✨😅 Grateful to Dr. Eileen Barrett for the nomination and to my Dad, the first and best internal medicine doctor I know. 🤎👨🏾‍⚕️ #FACP cc @gradydoctor.bsky.social
0101
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
“…11% of people said they could not afford medication and care within the past 3 months, the highest level in the four years the survey has been conducted. Over 1/3 said if they were to need medical care, they would not be able to pay for it.” #Pharmacoequity www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/h...
nytimes.com
More Americans Cannot Afford Medical Care: Gallup Poll
A new survey found that 11 percent of Americans said they could not pay for medication and medical treatments.
053
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
"In labs around the world, scientists are using A.I. to search among existing medicines for treatments that work for rare diseases." And saving some lives. @davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social gift link www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/w...
nytimes.com
Drugs Have Uses We Can’t Imagine. He’s Using A.I. to Find Them. (Gift Article)
Scientists are using machine learning to find new treatments among thousands of old medicines.
1422148
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Carine Davila @carinedavila.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Sharing my new JAMANetworkOpen study, showing disparities in patient-clinician communication experiences of adults with/without serious illness: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam.... Compared to those without, adults with serious illness were more likely to feel afraid to ask questions, 1/
jamanetwork.com
Patient-Clinician Communication Among Adults With and Without Serious Illness
This cross-sectional study assesses patient-clinician communication experiences for adults with and without serious illness, focusing largely on relational and identity goals.
151
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
99% of new medicines developed by the pharmaceutical industry depend on NIH research jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Comparison of Research Spending on New Drug Approvals by the NIH vs the Pharmaceutical Industry
This cross-sectional study examines National Institutes of Health and pharmaceutical industry investments in recent drug approvals.
18884437
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Had the pleasure of being invited (virtually) to both the University of Iowa College of Medicine and College of Dentistry to serve as a Distinguished Lecturer. 🖤💛 We need more than just talk right now to bring us closer to justice in health, but hoping to help inspire the future.
0101
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Such a treat to have my friend and LEADER, Dr. Jasmine Marcelin, as our Department of Medicine Grand Rounds speaker. 👩🏾‍⚕️ Her talk, “Antimicrobial Prescribing Disparities and the Pursuit of #Pharmacoequity” was data-filled and inspiring. ✨
081
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Thanks to the *105-year-old* UCLA campus newspaper, the Daily Bruin, for this feature. 🗞️🐻 #HealthEquity dailybruin.com/2025/01/20/q...
dailybruin.com
Q&A: Dr. Utibe Essien discusses goals of 'health, equity and justice' in research - Daily Bruin
This post was updated Jan. 20 at 11:35 p.m. Dr. Utibe Essien, an assistant professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine, sat down with science and health editor Shaun Thomas to discuss...
050
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Stacie Dusetzina @dusetzinas.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
HHS announces the next 15 drugs to negotiate under Part D! Great to see this progress. Quite a few cancer treatments, which will mean more savings potential than in the first year's drug list (cancer drugs get limited or no rebates today). Good news for taxpayers and Medicare spending!
hhs.gov
38123
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
NEW: The next 15 drugs chosen for Medicare price negotiation have been announced by the administration. 💊 Perhaps unsurprisingly but importantly, the list includes Ozempic and Wegovy. #Pharmacoequity apple.news/Ah_4w14VjRgS...
apple.news
The next 15 drugs chosen for Medicare negotiation — The Hill
The Biden administration has announced the next 15 drugs chosen for Medicare negotiation, marking one of its final acts before the inauguration of President-elect Trump.
1102
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
NEW: "Things will get worse before they get better" and "We're not giving up." Reactions to today's data showing medical school enrollments dropped steeply for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous applicants. With @uressien.bsky.social @roxanadaneshjou.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/01/09/m...
statnews.com
Medical schools report steep drop in enrollment of Black and Hispanic students after Supreme Court ruling
Enrollment of Black and Hispanic students in medical schools dropped precipitously last year after the Supreme Court banned the consideration of race in admissions.
36041
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
After acknowledging the fact that we both packed evacuation bags yday, spoke w. @usha.bsky.social about the new data on med school enrollment. “The number of Black enrollees fell by 11.6%… Hispanic enrollees ⬇️ 10.8%… American Indian or Alaska Natives ⬇️ by 22.1%.” www.statnews.com/2025/01/09/m...
041
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
New study in JACC EP suggests no White vs. Black difference in the risk of device-detected #AFib. More data to seemingly debunk the “racial paradox” around AFib. Ealier AFib detection for ALL patients may help to eliminate wide stroke disparities. 📝: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
040
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Oni Blackstock, MD MHS @oniblackstock.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
Homelessness has increased 18% in the US over the past year-with increases in family homelessness as well as for people who have been homeless for the first time. Veteran homelessness - an area for which there has been intentional investment - is down. apnews.com/article/home...
apnews.com
US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people
Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of mig...
0105
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Nice overview in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy on how pharmacists can incorporate #Pharmacoequity into the formulary review process… …This will help ensure that the needs of vulnerable patient populations are being considered & addressed. academic.oup.com/ajhp/advance...
030
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, PhD @sudkrishnamurthy.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Excited to share the publication of my 1st research article from my dissertation work in @alzdemjournals #DADM! Go give it a read here: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... A short 🧵 (1/x)
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Impact of neighborhood disadvantage on cardiometabolic health and cognition in a community‐dwelling cohort
INTRODUCTION Neighborhood disadvantage may be an important determinant of cardiometabolic health and cognitive aging. However, less is known about relationships among individuals with mild cognitive.....
4124
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Mark Cuban @mcuban.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
This is going to save hospitals a lot of money ! www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-re...
1803478496669
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Thanks to Mt. Sinai Department of Medicine and Med-Peds for the invitation to the Dr. Arnold Drapkin Memorial Lectureship today. ✨ Enjoyed being back home in NY.🗽 #Pharmacoequity
040
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
New study describing antibiotic prescribing variation for children in the hospital. #Pharmacoequity 💊
020
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
New Position Statement from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology highlighting the importance of #Pharmacoequity in the field of food allergy. 💊 Really exciting to see this concept expanding! secure.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/action/getSh...
171
Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH @uressien.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
New app. Same vibes. ✈️ Excited for #AHA24! Looking forward to sharing our latest #AFib work and presenting on #Pharmacoequity with an all-⭐️ team @ the ABC Symposium. But mostly ready to reconnect with friends & colleagues in the Chi. 💨 See y’all soon. 👊🏾
080