Y Health

 In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall announces two exciting new formats being added to the show: 

1. Y Health Classroom Edition – Faculty members will highlight key concepts from their courses at BYU, providing educational content that is both informative and accessible to a broad audience.
2. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) – Short, timely episodes meant to benefit listeners, sometimes shared by Dr. Hall and o...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, host Dr. Cougar Hall interviews Rachel Higginson, the Director of Sports Nutrition for BYU Athletics, about the evolving role of nutrition in athletic performance and everyday health. Rachel shares her journey from clinical dietetics to sports nutrition, highlighting the growth of the nutrition program at BYU, particularly after joining the Big 12. 

Key topics discussed include: 

• Intuitive...

Public health isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Leiema Hunt, MPH, talks about her work in American Samoa, the unique health challenges her community faces, and the role of cultural traditions in promoting well-being. From leading COVID-19 response efforts to tackling non-communicable diseases, Leiema shares her insights on public health, leadership, and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots. 

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In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, host Cougar Hall sits down with Dr. Randy Page, a recently retired professor from BYU’s Department of Public Health, to reflect on his 40-year career in academia and global health. From his early days as a researcher to pioneering BYU’s Global Health Internship Program, Dr. Page shares insights on professional pivots, the impact of international experiences, and the power of letting the worl...

 Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jim Johnston shares his powerful experiences researching occupational health in Nepal’s brick kilns, where workers face constant exposure to hazardous dust and air pollution. Beyond the health risks, his research uncovered an unexpected but urgent need—access to education for workers and their children. Dr. Johnston discusses how interdisciplinary collaboration is shaping solutions, from improving air...

In this episode of the Y Health podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall, alongside Dr. Alisha Redelfs and Dr. Julianne Grose, explores the intersection of public health and the creation of a sense of belonging within academic communities. The conversation delves into BYU’s Office of Belonging, established in 2021, and its unique gospel-centered approach to fostering inclusion and connection across campus. Through research, programs, and individua...

 Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Ricardo Noriega, a physician turned public health professional, shares his journey from medical school in Ecuador to BYU’s Public Health program. He discusses how the realization of the disparities between different regions and people shifted his focus to Public Health. Noriega also reflects on his fieldwork over the summer, where he connected patient information at Paso Del Norte Health Info...

 Summary:
In this episode, Dr. Marco Verdeja, a physician turned public health advocate, shares his journey from working in rural Mexican communities to his current role in Utah with Intermountain Health. He discusses how witnessing preventable health issues, such as malnutrition and limited healthcare access, motivated him to shift focus toward community health. Now, he addresses health disparities in underserved populations, ...

 Summary: In this inspiring episode, we chat with Emma Drybread, a passionate Master of Public Health student, about her journey from volunteer trips to Baja California to her vision of empowering underserved communities. Emma shares how her personal experiences with health challenges and her dedication to creating change have driven her to pursue meaningful work in public health. Join us as Emma discusses the value of chasing purp...

 In this insightful episode of Y Health, Dr. Cougar Hall from BYU's Public Health Department is joined by Professor Zach Aanderud from BYU's Plant and Wildlife Science to explore the fascinating world of the human microbiome. They discuss Zach's academic journey, the effects of diet on gut bacteria, and the microbiome's role in digestion, nutrient absorption, mental health, and chronic diseases. The episode emph...

 Gladys Lopez, a recent graduate of BYU’s Master of Public Health program, is passionate about family health, women's health, and promoting public health within family systems. In this episode, she joins Cougar to share her experiences working with inmates struggling with substance use disorders. Gladys reflects on how this work taught her to look beyond outward appearances and truly connect with the individuals behind the cha...

Bio: Chelom Leavitt teaches and researches healthy sexuality at BYU. She received her Ph.D. from Penn State. Her research specifically examines how being present, accepting, and non-judgmental is linked to improved sexual functioning and satisfaction. Dr. Leavitt’s research has been published in top academic journals such as Journal of Sex Research and Archives of Sexual Behavior. She has written books and teaches seminars on sex a...

In this special one-year anniversary episode of the Y Health Podcast, listeners are invited to get to know their esteemed host, Dr. Cougar Hall! He discusses mind-body health, offering valuable tips for maintaining balance in life. Join in this celebration as the Y Health Podcast reflects on its journey and Dr. Cougar Hall's unwavering commitment to empowering listeners to take charge of their well-being.

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If theres one thing you should know about Dr. Eik Nelson, it’s that he likes to get uncomfortable (all in the name of science). This has lead him to pursue research in areas that are a bit on the messier side. Listen as he and Dr. Cougar Hall discuss the social determinants of disease, maps and spirituality.

Bio:

Dr. Nelson's research combines epidemiologic, statistical, and geospatial modeling techniques to identify where and w...

How far is too far when involving parents in the learning process? High school educator Byron Tanner takes the hot seat to share the best practices he implements in the classroom each year. 

Bio:

With 20 years of experience at Timpanogos High School, Byron Tanner currently teaches Health, CTE Health Science Courses, and Driver Ed and has spent three years as an assistant principal during an administrative assignment. Tanner...

Pam Hansen–a BYU Master of Public Health (MPH) student–opens up about heartwrenching experiences that led her down the path she now walks. Returning to university after raising her children,  Pam echoes CS Lewis: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Bio:

Pam Hansen is a 2nd year MPH student, about to graduate this Spring. She authored the inspirational book “Running With Angels,” in which Pam...

Many of us take workplace safety for granted, but not Dr. Steve Thygerson. He and his students aid in “capacity building” in countries that lack the understanding of workplace safety and the resources to implement it. 

Bio

Dr. Steve Thygerson is an environmental and occupational health professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Prior to his appointment at BYU in 2008, he worked for 9 years in various occupational and envir...

Dr. Julianne Grose: Belonging and Be the Match

Honoring her brother-in-law’s dying wish, Dr. Grose advocates for Be The Match bone marrow transplant nonprofit. She guides listeners through the simple process of becoming a “match” and outlines its lifesaving implications. Additionally, Dr. Grose discusses what it means to truly belong and how we can cultivate that kind of environment on BYU’s campus.

Bio

Dr. Julianne Grose is...

Clinging to research findings at the expense of understanding another’s perspective may hinder progress in the world of policy. Dr. Jeff Glenns shares with us best practices for health policymaking, emphasizing the importance of listening to others and understanding the political climate surrounding public health. 

 As avid Survivor fans, Glenn and Dr. Cougar Hall also reflect on life lessons they’ve learned from the reality tv show...