Y Health

  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...

  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 dispari...

  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 Emm...

 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...

 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...

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...

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 thei...

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 modeli...

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 admini...

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 “ Runnin...

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 ye...

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 campu...

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...

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 biolo...

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 a...

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 phy...

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 enl...

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 Tas...

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 educat...

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...

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 Cov...

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 res...

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....

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...

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 focus...