Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
@uressien.bsky.social
Physician Scientist | Assistant Professor | Alum HSPH MGH Medicine Einstein Med | Opinions mine
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.
Always great to connect with mentors, role models, and friends at this meeting and to celebrate the new inductees into the Academy.
October 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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.
Always great to connect with mentors, role models, and friends at this meeting and to celebrate the new inductees into the Academy.
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. 💊
Yet, the future diffusion and equitable dissemination & implementation of these drugs is FAR less studied.
So many opportunities to advance #Pharmacoequity. 💊
October 22, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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. 💊
Yet, the future diffusion and equitable dissemination & implementation of these drugs is FAR less studied.
So many opportunities to advance #Pharmacoequity. 💊
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....
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....
September 15, 2025 at 10:06 PM
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....
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....
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
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
September 11, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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
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
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...
“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...
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.
www.newsweek.com
August 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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...
“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...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
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
July 28, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
What an outstanding @cudeptofmedicine.bsky.social grand rounds presentation by the inspiring @uressien.bsky.social ! #pharmacoequity "Pursuing Pharmacoequity: The Case of Atrial Fibrillation"
June 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
What an outstanding @cudeptofmedicine.bsky.social grand rounds presentation by the inspiring @uressien.bsky.social ! #pharmacoequity "Pursuing Pharmacoequity: The Case of Atrial Fibrillation"
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
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)
Go give it a read here if interested: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
A short 🧵:
(1/x)
May 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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)
Go give it a read here if interested: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
A short 🧵:
(1/x)
‼️ 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
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
May 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
‼️ 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
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
Congrats to the amazing, Renu! ✨
🎉 Congratulations to our #SGIM25 Award Winner! 🎉
Please join us in celebrating Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc, recipient of the Mid-Career Research Mentorship Award. Their outstanding work exemplifies excellence in general internal medicine.
👏 Help us congratulate Renuka in the comments!
Please join us in celebrating Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc, recipient of the Mid-Career Research Mentorship Award. Their outstanding work exemplifies excellence in general internal medicine.
👏 Help us congratulate Renuka in the comments!
May 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Congrats to the amazing, Renu! ✨
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
Pharmacoequity matters. Appreciate this work! #AGS25 @uressien.bsky.social
May 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Pharmacoequity matters. Appreciate this work! #AGS25 @uressien.bsky.social
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
📋‼️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!
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!
May 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
📋‼️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!
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!
‼️ 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...
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...
May 2, 2025 at 4:08 PM
‼️ 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...
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...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
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...
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...
April 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
In people with diabetes, GLP-1 and SGLT2i drugs were associated with less Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
April 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In people with diabetes, GLP-1 and SGLT2i drugs were associated with less Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
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
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
April 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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
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
“…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...
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...
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.
www.nytimes.com
April 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“…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...
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...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
"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...
@davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social
gift link
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/w...
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.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"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...
@davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social
gift link
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/w...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
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/
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.
jamanetwork.com
March 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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/
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
99% of new medicines developed by the pharmaceutical industry depend on NIH research jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
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.
jamanetwork.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
99% of new medicines developed by the pharmaceutical industry depend on NIH research jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
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.
We need more than just talk right now to bring us closer to justice in health, but hoping to help inspire the future.
February 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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.
We need more than just talk right now to bring us closer to justice in health, but hoping to help inspire the future.
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. ✨
Her talk, “Antimicrobial Prescribing Disparities and the Pursuit of #Pharmacoequity” was data-filled and inspiring. ✨
February 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM
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. ✨
Her talk, “Antimicrobial Prescribing Disparities and the Pursuit of #Pharmacoequity” was data-filled and inspiring. ✨
Thanks to the *105-year-old* UCLA campus newspaper, the Daily Bruin, for this feature. 🗞️🐻
#HealthEquity
dailybruin.com/2025/01/20/q...
#HealthEquity
dailybruin.com/2025/01/20/q...
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...
dailybruin.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Thanks to the *105-year-old* UCLA campus newspaper, the Daily Bruin, for this feature. 🗞️🐻
#HealthEquity
dailybruin.com/2025/01/20/q...
#HealthEquity
dailybruin.com/2025/01/20/q...
Reposted by Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH
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!
www.hhs.gov
January 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
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!
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...
Perhaps unsurprisingly but importantly, the list includes Ozempic and Wegovy.
#Pharmacoequity
apple.news/Ah_4w14VjRgS...
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.
apple.news
January 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
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...
Perhaps unsurprisingly but importantly, the list includes Ozempic and Wegovy.
#Pharmacoequity
apple.news/Ah_4w14VjRgS...