Wondi Manalew, Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE) in Women’s Health at East Tennessee State University, is the recipient of a Changemaker in Family Planning grant award from the Society for Family Planning. This award program recognizes outstanding scholars of color and provides them with dedicated support to expand their research skills and expertise. With this support, Dr. Manalew aims to establish an independent research agenda centered on examining the impact of contraceptive access initiatives across various US states on advancing equity in reproductive health care access among women in rural areas and women of color.
Dr. Manalew holds a PhD in Economics from Indiana University, specializing in Health Economics and Applied Econometrics, and a master’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University. Originally from Ethiopia, Dr. Manalew served as a university lecturer and researcher before pursuing graduate studies in the US and joining CARE Women’s Health in 2019.
“The fact that Dr. Manalew is one of only 12 Changemaker award recipients this year speaks not only to the importance and quality of his proposed research but also to his potential as a research leader in women’s health care and policy,” said Dr. Amal Khoury, Director of CARE Women’s Health. “Wondi is the third member of our center to be recognized by the Society for Family Planning as a Changemaker, which highlights the standing of CARE Women’s Health nationwide.”
In his current role, Dr. Manalew collaborates with a team of researchers to assess the impact of statewide contraceptive access initiatives on reproductive health care use and outcomes. He leads research projects that examine contraceptive use patterns and pregnancy-related outcomes among reproductive-age women. His methodological expertise and innovative analysis of Medicaid claims data have generated findings in support of the impact and sustainability of these initiatives.
The Changemaker award is unique in seeking to identify researchers who can make a meaningful impact in advancing reproductive health care access and outcomes. The Changemaker award is also unique in going beyond salary support to also support professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities for the grantee.
“For this new research endeavor, the focus will be on providing empirical evidence to inform efforts aimed at reducing disparities in contraceptive access and reproductive health outcomes for women from historically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Manalew. “The ultimate goal is the ongoing pursuit of equitable reproductive health access and care for all population groups.”