Johnny Wilkerson

Johnny Wilkerson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. His work focuses on identifying individual and structural determinants of health disparities among marginalized populations, particularly in substance use recovery and HIV/STI prevention. With over two decades of experience in community health education, he currently leads funded projects evaluating recovery residences, medication-assisted recovery re-entry programs, peer recovery support specialist certifications, and intensive outpatient program curricula.

• Academic background: Doctoral degree in adult/professional/community education; dual master’s degrees in health education and epidemiology.
• Center affiliation: Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research.
• Teaching roles: Graduate courses in health promotion theory, health disparities, and adult/community education.

Dr. Wilkerson’s research emphasizes multilevel interventions to address social determinants of health, aligning with his role as faculty co-coordinator for the health disparities certificate program. His current grants focus on practical solutions for substance use recovery and food insecurity-related diabetes management.