About Me
Dr. Ibitola Asaolu is a public health expert specializing in health economics, epidemiology, and outcomes research. With extensive experience in maternal and child health, women’s empowerment, and healthcare systems analysis, she brings a data-driven approach to improving health outcomes. Currently serving as a Senior Manager of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Philips, Dr. Asaolu leverages her expertise to develop economic evidence generation strategies and support product development through innovative Real World Evidence approaches.
Professional Experience
Senior Manager, Health Economics and Outcomes Research
2023 - Present · Philips
- Lead the development of economic evidence generation and epidemiology database studies using U.S. healthcare data sources such as Medicare, Optum, and Premier
- Implement innovative Real World Evidence (RWE) strategies to support product development and market launch in the U.S.
- Provide comprehensive scientific evidence to support NTAP and Breakthrough Device designation applications with the FDA
- Synthesize scientific data to define market sizes, identify underserved/unserved populations, and determine target demographics for Philip’s products and services
Epidemiologist II
2019 - 2023 · State Department of Health
- Led and supervised a team of three epidemiologists in regular monitoring of health outcomes and preparing annual reports
- Facilitated awarded grants application totaling $7M and partnered with stakeholders to implement and provide technical assistance for suicide/violence prevention, maternal death, and injury prevention programs
- Queried claims and registry data to prepare annual reports on maternal mortality, injuries, infant and child death and inform legislators and the public health outcomes and recommend prevention strategies
- Collaborated with the TN Hospital Association to improve identification of maternal deaths and served on Tennessee’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee
- Developed weekly reports to senior leadership and the state Governor on the association between COVID-19 and suicidal behavior
Doctoral and Reproductive Health Researcher
2014 - 2019 · University of Arizona
- Developed and validated the first women’s empowerment index in Africa, utilizing data from 19 countries
- Oversaw a systematic review on medical marijuana and management on chronic pain which provided supportive evidence for President Biden’s pardon of non-violent marijuana events
- Designed multiple research studies, created statistical analysis plans, and used psychometrics analysis and regression models in preparing over 13 peer-reviewed manuscripts
- Led an international collaboration involving multiple institutions to conduct a $4K study on barriers to contraceptive use in Nigeria
- Conducted interviews and focus group discussions with university students, community health workers, and pharmacists
- Presented scientific studies on HIV, contraceptive use, and women’s empowerment at eight conferences/professional meetings
Public Health Analyst
2013 - 2014 · University of Kentucky
- Evaluated Kentucky’s home visitation program for its impact on reduced odds of preterm birth among 51K+ babies and families vs. general population
- Created surveys on REDCap, supervised data collection, and analyzed survey data to assess effectiveness of GreenDot Violence Intervention Program among 7K students
Graduate Researcher
2011 - 2013 · University of Kentucky
- Evaluated Green Dot Violence Prevention Program across 26 Kentucky high schools with 22K students
- Developed SAS programs to analyze data from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring
Education
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
2019 · University of Arizona
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology
2013 · University of Kentucky
Thesis: Evaluation of Violence Prevention Programs in Kentucky
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2009 · University of California, Davis
Research Focus Areas
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
2021. Antibiotics can work as a contraceptive: Contraceptive Knowledge and Use among University students in Calabar, Nigeria. Asaolu I, Kram N, Ajala C, Aquaisua E, Asaolu A, Ehiri J. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 3:28.
2020. Medical cannabis for the reduction of opioid dosage in the treatment of non-cancer chronic pain: a systematic review. Okusanya BO, Asaolu IO, Ehiri JE, Kimaru LJ, Okechukwu A, Rosales C. Systematic reviews, 9(1):1-8.
2020. Influence of Women's Empowerment on Place of Delivery in North Eastern and Western Kenya: A Cross sectional Analysis of the Kenya Demographic Health Survey. Anderson EJ, Chebet JJ, Asaolu IO, Bell ML, Ehiri J. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 10(1):65-73.
2019. Healthcare system indicators associated with modern contraceptive use in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria: evidence from the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 data. Asaolu I, Nuño VL, Ernst K, Taren D, Ehiri J. Reproductive health, 16(1):152.
2018. Measuring women & empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the demographic and health surveys. Asaolu IO, Alaofè H, Gunn JK, Adu AK, Monroy AJ, Ehiri JE, Hayden MH, Ernst KC. Frontiers in psychology, 9:994.
Book Chapters
2019. Rape, Sexual Assault, and its effect on Health. Asaolu I, and Koss, MP. In C. Llwellyn (Lead Editor), The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health, and Medicine, 3rd Edition.
2017. Introduction to Sexual Violence. Asaolu IO and Koss MP. In P. Sturmey (Ed.), The Wiley Handbook on Violence and Aggression, Volume 1.
Reports
Impact & Achievements
Skills & Expertise
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
Epidemiology & Data Analysis
SAS, STATA, Tableau, ArcGIS
Project Management & Team Leadership
Mixed Methods Research
Scientific Writing & Publication