Dr. Manalew, a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation in Women’s Health at East Tennessee State University, 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.
In his current role, Dr. Manalew collaborates with a team of researchers to assess the impact of a statewide contraceptive access initiative in South Carolina. He leads research projects that examine access to contraception, contraceptive use patterns, and pregnancy-related outcomes among reproductive-age women in South Carolina. His work aims to achieve equity in contraceptive access and reproductive health outcomes.

With support from the Society of Family Planning, 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 contraceptive access among women in rural areas and women of color. By investigating the efficacy of these initiatives in narrowing pre-existing gaps in access, Dr. Manalew’s research will provide valuable insights to guide future efforts aimed at enhancing contraception access for women from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The anticipated outcomes of this research endeavor include providing empirical evidence to inform efforts aimed at reducing disparities in contraceptive access and reproductive health outcomes for individuals from rural areas and women of color. Dr. Manalew’s research endeavors promise to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing pursuit of equitable reproductive health access and care.