Y Health

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.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 why health disparities occur so that appropriate interventions can be developed to help overcome them. His research utilizes novel online recruitment techniques and Bayesian spatio-temporal models. His main areas of interest include health disparities, sexual health, screening, cancer prevention, environmental lead exposure, and social epidemiology. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles on a variety of public health issues such as human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccination, lead exposure, violence, substance abuse, air pollution, and cognitive functioning.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s degree in School Health Education and earned a Master’s degree from SUU in School Administration. He is married to Niki and together they have four wonderful children.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 discusses her battles with the death of her children, family illness, and obesity, leading to her ultimate decision to run a marathon amid life’s tragedies.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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. BioDr. 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 environmental health settings in the public and private sector. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and past chair of the International Affairs Committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. As a Workplace Health Without Borders member, he mentors other occupational hygienists and provides occupational health training worldwide. Those countries include Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. He loves taking students to these countries as well as focusing on global occupational health. For the past 20 years, he has authored first aid, CPR, and wellness textbooks.While not at work, he loves to run, mountain bike, backcountry ski, set out on family backpacking trips, and is a wanna-be overland expedition enthusiast. Click here to read about Dr. Thygerson’s occupational health work in Nepal.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

Dr. Julianne Grose: Belonging and Be the MatchHonoring 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.BioDr. Julianne Grose is a microbiology and molecular biology professor of 15 years at BYU. She obtained her BS in Chemistry with a math minor as well as a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Utah where she studied the central metabolic pathways of Salmonella. Dr. Grose began BYU Be the Match on Campus in 2017, a student group to recruit potential bone marrow donors for patients with blood disorders such as lymphoma and leukemia. Together,  students have registered over 5,000 potential donors and 48 of our students have donated and saved a life! In 2022 Be the Match honored BYU by presenting Dr. Grose with the “Lives Award.”Join the registry here and you might just save someone’s life.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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. Bio Dr. Jeff Glenn is a BYU professor best known by undergraduate students for his teachings on policy. Glenn completed his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health where he studied health policy and systems change. Prior to his doctoral education, Glenn worked as a Presidential Management Fellow and Public Health Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA where he helped establish the agency’s global cancer program. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Southern California and a BA in International Relations from Brigham Young University. Glenn grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to new places with his wife, Kathryn, and their three children. Learn more about the campus conversations Dr. Glenn discussed here.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 a postdoctoral program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she joined the BYU Department of Public Health faculty. As a spatial epidemiologist, her research interests include patterns in pediatric respiratory infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal pneumonia.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 of the Department of Public Health at BYU.  Prior to the chair appointment, he served as director of BYU’s master of public health program for six years. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU, he spent 11 years as a professor at Montana State University – Billings. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in health science from BYU.  His doctorate in community health education is from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.Hanson has authored and co-authored numerous publications and presentations in the areas of computational health science, mental health, and substance abuse. He is the recipient of the BYU College of Life Sciences Faculty Distinguished Service Award and the Catherine Summerhays Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife Loraine reside in Spanish Fork and have four children and six grandchildren.  Listen to Hanson's recent speech at BYU titled "Something About Mental Health" for further insights on this topic.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 program director of 10 years and has been an associate BYU professor since 2002. After receiving his master’s degree in physical education from Utah State University, he earned a PhD in Physical Education-Pedagogy from Arizona State University.  He focuses his research on motivation in physical education, video self-analysis in teaching, and systematic success in physical education programs.Click here for more on Dr. Prusak and his research.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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, such as views on work-life balance to new spiritual beginnings that arose from time abroad. Both Dr. Crookston and Dr. West have previously appeared on our podcast. Listen to their areas of expertise here.Learn more about BYU’s Public Health study abroad in Europe here. Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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, and Himalayan Cataract Project. Guest Bio Inspired by his church mission to Ghana, Scott Herrod chose to study public health at BYU with a minor in international development. Herrod graduated in April and started Harvard medical school this fall. Passionate about global eye health, Herrod plans to earn a Master of Public Health after medical school and work with international colleagues as an academic ophthalmologist. In his free time, Herrod enjoys camping, hiking, and skiing with his wife, Madelaine.  Scott’s Research:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-021-01040-7https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09286586.2021.1910315 Global Eye Health Initiatives:https://cureblindness.org/https://www.daybreakvisionproject.org/https://www.childrenseyefoundation.org/webdev/what-we-do/africa-ropRecorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 BioBYU Professor Dr. Lori Spruance combines her passion for nutrition and education. She earned a bachelor’s of science in health and physical education from Utah State University. Knowing she wanted to do more to enact community change, Dr. Spruance completed a Master’s of Education with an emphasis in public health education and promotion from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Later, she earned a P.h.D. in global community health and behavioral science at Tulane University. She completed her dissertation on school-based salad bars and continues her research in adolescent nutrition. Additional Resources:https://ph.byu.edu/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-school-mealshttps://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wBHmJEkAAAAJ&hl=enRecorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 difficult circumstances. Guest BioDr. Josh West has worked at BYU for the past 15 years. He is not only a professor but also the current BYU Public Health Department chair. Dr. West earned a Master’s of Public Health with an emphasis on epidemiology from San Diego State University and later his PhD in public health from the University of California, San Diego - School of Medicine. He focuses his research on behavioral change and its intersection with technology.For more insights on fitness apps and behavioral change, read this article.Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 trajectory?Guest BioMary Linehan is a senior technical advisor of infectious diseases at IMA World Health and has also overseen global projects with USAID. She has over 20 years of international work experience in program management, technical assistance, and research for maternal and child health; nutrition; and infectious diseases, including 15 years of residence in the Philippines, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In the last few years, Linehan has engaged in a collaboration with researchers at BYU to document the achievements of IMA World Health's nutrition programs. Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 BioLabeled “the voice for insulin resistance in America” by Dr. Cougar Hall, Dr. Benjamin Bikman devotes his career to studying this disease. He began his education at BYU, receiving a Bachelor’s of Exercise Science and later a Master’s of Exercise Physiology. He went on to earn a PhD in bioenergetics from East Carolina University, after which he completed a postdoc fellowship in Singapore with Duke Medical School. Bikman oversees a lab at BYU, determined to identify links between metabolic health and disease with a specific focus on insulin resistance. Passionate about his work, Bikman also teaches cell biology and physiology at BYU as well as runs an Instagram page with over 100k followers.Additional Information Why We Get Sick by Ben Bikman Bikman’s companyBikman’s lab at BYUFacebookInstagram Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 BioLabeled “the voice for insulin resistance in America” by Dr. Cougar Hall, Dr. Benjamin Bikman devotes his career to studying this disease. He began his education at BYU, receiving a Bachelor’s of Exercise Science and later a Master’s of Exercise Physiology. He went on to earn a PhD in bioenergetics from East Carolina University, after which he completed a postdoc fellowship in Singapore with Duke Medical School. Bikman oversees a lab at BYU, determined to identify links between metabolic health and disease with a specific focus on insulin resistance. Passionate about his work, Bikman also teaches cell biology and physiology at BYU as well as runs an Instagram page with over 100k followers.Additional Information Why We Get Sick by Ben Bikman Bikman’s companyBikman’s lab at BYUFacebookInstagram Recorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

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 BioDr. Ben Crookston serves as the research chair for BYU public health and teaches in the department. With an emphasis on international health and nutrition, Crookston has spent over 15 years conducting research in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Additionally, he works alongside various nonprofits, evaluating programs and research relating to children's nutrition, growth, and health. From BYU, Crookston earned a BS in Zoology and later a Master’s in Public Health. He then went on to earn his PhD in Public Health from the University of Utah. Additional Information https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Benjamin-CrookstonRecorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale

Episode SummaryInspired 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 BioBYU professor Dr. Ali Crandall focuses her research on family and mental health, executive functioning, and adolescent/child well-being. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education (equivalent to the current "Public Health Promotion" degree) from Brigham Young University. Crandall went on to earn a Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University and later a PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Episode ResourcesResearch summary on counter-ACEs with Dr. Ali CrandallPublished scientific journal research article on ACEs and counter-ACEs with Dr. Ali CrandallBelonging by Nora KrugRecorded, Edited & Produced by Paige Sherwood, Isabella Loosle, and Tanya Gale