Y Health

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...

Addressing misinformation and economic trade-offs only begins to detail the “complex wrestles” of a public health professional. Join Dr. Chantel Sloan-Aagard as she shares insights from her career as an epidemiologist and considers the rise of RSV and other infectious diseases.

Bio:

Dr. Sloan-Aagard received her Doctorate in genetics from Dartmouth College, following a Bachelor of Science in biology from BYU-Hawaii.  After completing...

Carl Hanson dives into mental health, distinguishing between mental health and mental illness, and discussing what overall wellness means. He also identifies perfectionism as a hindrance to emotional well-being. He acknowledges that we are not meant to be perfect in this life and suggests how we can use hardships as growth opportunities.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Carl Hanson is a professor of public health and former chair ...

Most US adults struggle to fit exercise into their lifestyle, while children seem to do so naturally. Dr. Keven Prusak explains why the “Western lifestyle” alters our approach to physical activity and how we can reframe our thinking. He also stresses the value of a good physical education program and the unexpected learning outcomes it provides.

Guest  Bio:

Dr. Keven Prusak is BYU’s elementary physical education p...

While traveling abroad undoubtedly creates cherished memories, the rich learning experience it provides should not be overlooked.

Dr. Cougar Hall joins his study abroad co-directors of 5 years, Dr. Ben Crookston and Dr. Josh West, to reminisce about their shared experience in Europe this past summer. The three strive to facilitate a life-changing program for the students. In this episode, they enlighten us on various paradigm shifts...

Recent BYU alumnus Scott Herrod shares what inspired him to study public health at BYU and how he sought out research opportunities. He describes his global health research as an undergraduate student, including a recent trip to Ghana where he participated in cataract surgery initiatives. Specifically, he collaborated with providers in Africa affiliated with the Stop Infant Blindness in Africa Task Force, Daybreak Vision Project, a...

Ignoring the root causes of social disparities won’t solve the problem. Tune in as we analyze how these disparities affect public health. Dr. Lori Spruance joins Cougar to discuss inaccessibility to nutrition, the benefits of free school lunch, and the importance of discussing difficult topics in the classroom.


Guest Bio
BYU Professor Dr. Lori Spruance combines her passion for nutrition and education. She earned ...

Sometimes breaking old habits feels near impossible, especially when we’re hyperfocused on the outcome or our environment is working against us. On the other hand, community interventions,  social support, and technology can be the catalyst for a desired behavioral change. 

Listen to the BYU Public Health Department chair, Dr. Josh West, discuss behavioral change. Both he and Cougar emphasize that change is always possible, despite ...

With over 15 years of international residency, Mary Linehan shares her experience building self-sustainable local communities. She and Cougar discuss this “capacity building” and highlight the importance of leaving people better than we found them. Additionally, she will share her thoughts on public health’s role in Covid. Was society positively or negatively affected by public health, and did Covid change public health’s trajector...

Ben Bikman returns to continue the conversation about nutrition, addressing a wide variety of subtopics from comorbidities of COVID-19 and obesity to effects of veganism. Bikman also spectualtes the word of wisdom’s role in influencing diets of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, touching on moderation, addiction, and compassion.

Guest Bio
Labeled “the voice for insulin resistance in America” by Dr. ...

Insulin resistance affects a vast majority of adults worldwide, and Dr. Ben Bikman frames it as the culprit behind a myriad of health problems, including infertility, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes. After explaining the prevalence of insulin resistance and its consequences, he briefs us on how we can combat this disease.


Guest Bio
Labeled “the voice for insulin resistance in America” by Dr. Cougar Hall, Dr...

Dr. Ben Crookston addresses the impact of nutrition, especially in developing countries. He emphasizes why we should invest in nutrition and outlines the actions we can take. Crookston also discusses the overlap between culture and nutrition and how, in some cases, a change in culture may benefit nutrition.

Guest Bio

Dr. Ben Crookston serves as the research chair for BYU public health and teaches in the department. With an...

Episode Summary

Inspired by a 'glass half full' perspective, Dr. Ali Crandall researched the long-term health benefits of positive childhood experiences. In this episode, Crandall explains the known detrimental effects of ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), then discusses the implications of prioritizing “counter-ACEs” in children’s lives.

Guest Bio

BYU professor Dr. Ali Crandall focuses her r...