John Beard

Dr. John Beard is the Irene Diamond Professor of Productive Aging at Columbia University�s Mailman School of Public Health, with appointments in the Departments of Health Policy and Management, Epidemiology, and the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center. His work focuses on aging and health across the life course, with particular attention to functional ability, intrinsic capacity, and the social and environmental factors that influence aging trajectories.Prior to joining Columbia, Dr. Beard served as Director of Ageing and Life Course at the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2009 to 2019. During his tenure, he led the development of the WHO Healthy Aging framework and coordinated the World Report on Ageing and Health. He also oversaw the expansion of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, which supports local efforts to improve environments for older adults.Dr. Beard holds a medical degree from the University of Adelaide and a PhD in Medicine/Epidemiology from the University of Sydney. His research includes longitudinal studies examining cohort differences in aging, as well as investigations into the biological and social determinants of functional decline. His recent publications appear in journals such as Nature Aging, JAMA Network Open, and The Lancet.In addition to academic research, Dr. Beard contributes to aging-related policy and practice through advisory roles with organizations including the World Economic Forum, the United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. His work aims to inform evidence-based strategies that support health and well-being in older populations.