Dr. Hanson is a professor of public health in the Department of Public Health. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications and presentations including over $1,500,000 in external grants. He has served on many national and local boards including but not limited to the Society for Public Health Education and the American Association for Public Health Programs. He has worked collaboratively on community initiatives of public health interest - especially those targeting youth and families. His research agenda includes computational health science, health communication through social and new media, and family health.
Dr. Hanson graduated from high school in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in health science from Brigham Young University where he also competed in track and field/cross country. He received a doctorate in public health education from Southern Illinois University while teaching classes and working at the county health department. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU, he spent 11 years as a professor at Montana State University - Billings. There he taught health promotion classes and served as chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance prior to becoming the interim dean of a new College of Allied Health Professions.
He and his wife Loraine have four children and reside in Spanish Fork, Utah. He served in the Arizona Holbrook/Phoenix Mission from 1984-1986. He enjoys running, playing basketball, fly fishing, and camping with his family.