Ben Bellows
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Ben Bellows | |
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| Education |
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| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Known for | Digital health innovation, health systems research |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Epidemiology, Global Health |
| Institutions | |
Benjamin West Bellows is an American epidemiologist, researcher, and healthcare technology executive. He is the co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Nivi, Inc., a digital health company focused on improving healthcare access in developing markets. Bellows is known for his work in health systems research, particularly in the areas of reproductive health, healthcare financing, and digital health solutions in Africa and Asia.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Bellows was raised on a dairy farm in Michigan, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Honors History at the University of Michigan in 1996.
After graduation, Bellows joined the Peace Corps, serving in Ecuador as an animal husbandry volunteer in the rural cloud forest community of Chiguinda, Morona-Santiago Province (1997-1999). He extended his service for a third year at the Peace Corps Quito office as a volunteer coordinator, working with community leaders to develop new sites across Ecuador.
Following his Peace Corps service, Bellows worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he helped develop couples' HIV counseling training curricula for countries participating in the Global AIDS Program, a predecessor to PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). In 2002, he embarked on a cross-country bicycle journey to California, where he began his graduate studies.
At the University of California, Berkeley, Bellows earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology, biostatistics, and social behavior (2004) and his Ph.D. in Epidemiology (2009). During his academic career, he was awarded the FLAS Fellowship in 2006 and the Boren Fellowship in 2007.
Career
[edit]Academic and Research Work
[edit]Bellows spent nearly 12 years at the Population Council, where he held various research positions from 2009 to 2020. As an Associate in the Kenya office, he managed significant research initiatives, including a $8.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His work focused on healthcare financing, reproductive health vouchers, output-based aid, and health systems strengthening in partnership with government and non-state organizations across Africa and Asia.
While based in Kenya, he led multiple population-based surveys and health facility assessments, including:
- The Health Insurance Subsidy Program (HISP) baseline
- An endline assessment of the Health for All Kenyans through Innovation (HISP) user fee removal pilot
- A World Bank-funded assessment of performance-based financing initiatives
While serving as a researcher at the Population Council, he co-founded Nivi, Inc. in October 2016. He continued to serve the majority of his time at the Population Council in Lusaka, Zambia (2015-2018) and in Washington DC (2018-2020).
Entrepreneurship and Digital Health
[edit]In October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bellows joined Nivi, Inc. full-time, where he serves as Chief Business Officer. The company develops digital health solutions aimed at improving healthcare access for underserved populations. Nivi works with nonprofits, commercial firms, and public agencies to optimize engagement with their target audiences and shape healthcare markets.
Research Impact and Publications
[edit]Bellows has authored over 78 academic works, including peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters[1], with a particular focus on healthcare access and digital innovation in developing regions. His research has significantly impacted several key areas of global health:
Digital Health and AI
[edit]In recent years, Bellows has pioneered work in digital health applications, including the development and testing of AI-powered chatbots for healthcare delivery. His research has advanced the use of digital tools for health education and developed predictive healthcare models.
Maternal and Reproductive Health
[edit]His extensive work on maternal health services includes research on:
- Healthcare access through voucher programs
- Quality assessment of postnatal care
- Prevention of disrespect and abuse during childbirth
- Analysis of self-reported maternal care accuracy
Healthcare Financing and Access
[edit]Bellows has made substantial contributions to understanding healthcare financing mechanisms in low and middle-income countries, particularly through:
- Comprehensive reviews of voucher programs
- Studies on health insurance implementation
- Analysis of user fee policies
- Assessment of performance-based financing
Professional Affiliations and Service
[edit]Bellows has held several notable professional appointments:
- Term member of the Council on Foreign Relations (2010-2015)
- Board Member of the National Peace Corps Association (2008-2010)
- Technical Adviser at Venture Strategies for Health and Development (2005-2009)
- Vice President of Friends of Ecuador (2002-present)
Peer Review Activities
[edit]Bellows serves as a peer reviewer for several prominent journals in the field, including:
Media Appearances
[edit]In March 2022, Bellows appeared on the Aid, Evolved podcast to discuss his transition from academic research to entrepreneurship.[2] During the 45-minute episode, he discussed his experience witnessing the emergence of "Silicon Savannah" in Nairobi and the founding of Nivi. The discussion covered his decision to leave the nonprofit sector after publishing over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts to focus on building a healthtech startup. Bellows described how Nivi evolved into a chatbot-based marketplace that has served over 2 million people across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and India.
References
[edit]- ^ "Ben Bellows ORCID Profile". ORCID. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "Ben Bellows of Nivi: Getting the Market Incentives Right". Aid, Evolved. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2025-01-02.