There are significant disparities in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia among different ethnic groups. There is also substantial variation in psychotropic prescribing across ethnicities, with certain ethnic backgrounds disproportionately being prescribed first-generation antipsychotics for schizophrenia, and Black patients with bipolar disorder being more likely to receive antipsychotics over mood stabilizers. Additionally, Black individuals experience opioid overdoses at a greater rate than White individuals and are prescribed buprenorphine at a lower rate. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring equitable access to effective treatment modalities. By highlighting these disparities, this session aims to bring awareness and educate psychiatric pharmacists to better ensure individuals receive evidence-based care for serious mental illness regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Faculty Information
View biographical information
Danielle R. Hairston, MD
Psychiatry Residency Program Director, Howard University College of Medicine/Hospital
Dr. Danielle Hairston is a double board-certified psychiatrist, medical educator, and mental wellness advocate. Raised in the DC area, she earned her medical degree at Howard University and completed her residency and C-L fellowship at University of Maryland Medical Center. Now, she serves as Psychiatry Training Director at Howard. Dr. Hairston is the immediate past president of the APA's Black Caucus and a leader in the Black Psychiatrists of America. She speaks nationally and internationally on race and mental health, contributing to publications like "Racism and Psychiatry." She also creates content for Black Psychiatry and co-hosts the podcast "The Next 72 Hours," while consulting on corporate wellness. Her expertise spans areas like resident education, minority representation in medicine, and the impact of structural racism.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the prevalence and differences in psychotropic prescribing for serious mental illness (SMI) in different racial and ethnic subgroups.
- Analyze the impact of disparities in psychotropic prescribing on SMI patient outcomes.
- Propose strategies for addressing potential disparities in psychotropic prescribing for SMI.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 10/03/2025 - 10/03/2028
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-029-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.
View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use
Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
View fair balance and integrity statement
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.