Wizdom A. Powell

Dr. Wizdom A. Powell serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center (UConn Health) and Director of the Health Disparities Institute. Her research focuses on addressing health inequities through an intersectional lens, particularly examining the impacts of racial discrimination, masculinity norms, incarceration histories, and social-ecological factors on mental and physical health outcomes. She has conducted significant work in urban health contexts, including HIV prevention strategies among marginalized populations and improving healthcare access for African American men.

Her academic contributions include studies on the psychological and physiological effects of racial stressors among African American women, the role of personal growth in mitigating depression among Black men, and interventions to reduce HIV testing barriers among formerly incarcerated individuals. Dr. Powell collaborates with community organizations to develop culturally tailored health promotion programs and policy recommendations.

Her recent publications analyze topics such as sexual risk behaviors in the Dominican Republic, prison Medicaid enrollment challenges, and medical mistrust among African American men. She maintains an active research agenda that bridges biomedical and social science disciplines to advance health equity goals.

Professional activities include editorial board roles, grant review committees, and leadership in academic and community-based initiatives focused on reducing disparities in mental health care access and treatment outcomes.