METABOLIC HEALTH EXPERT SHARES INSIGHTS ON HEALTHY AGEING AND GROWING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE FIELD
With
David Beard,
Senior Exercise Physiologist,
Metabolic Health Specialist, HFRC,
Nedlands, Western Australia &
Chair Western Australia Chapter
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Nedlands, Western Australia | April 2025
David Beard is a highly experienced Exercise Physiologist with a specialisation in metabolic health and healthy aging. He has spent over 40 years in this profession, even before exercise physiology was formally recognised as a discipline. His extensive background includes over a decade of working in aged care and a strong focus on adult health and fitness. David has authored a book on healthy aging and dedicated the last 10 to 12 years to advancing his expertise in metabolic health issues such as diabetes, weight loss, and inflammatory conditions. He is a co-owner of HFRC in Nedlands, Western Australia, where he has worked for nearly a decade.
A pivotal moment in David’s career occurred when he became one of the first exercise physiologists to work in the aged care sector, making significant contributions to the health of older adults. Passionate about the benefits of exercise and its impact as individuals age, David focuses on improving clients’ metabolic health through personalised strategies involving exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications.
In his role as State Chair of Exercise and Sports Science Australia in WA, David advocates for greater recognition of the profession’s value in managing chronic health conditions. He believes that raising public awareness of metabolic health is essential, as it empowers individuals to understand how their daily choices significantly affect their long-term well-being. Through education and support, David strives to help others lead healthier, more active lives, particularly as they navigate the challenges of aging.
Source: Written by AUDIENCED from transcript
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The role of genomic screening in transforming public health
Dr Jane Tiller is a lawyer, genetic counsellor and public health researcher. She is Ethical, Legal & Social Adviser in Public Health Genomics at Monash University, and a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant holder. Jane is passionate about the use of genomics to prevent disease, and in delivering equitable access to preventive genetic information at the population level. She is co-lead of DNA Screen, a world-first study piloting the offer of preventive DNA screening to the Australian adult population. DNA Screen has tested over 10,000 young people for genetic high risk of medically actionable conditions such as cancer and heart disease, finding about 2% of participants had genetic high risk. Jane is leading efforts to secure Commonwealth Government funding to expand the DNA Screen program, with the eventual goal of the development of a public health population screening program for disease prevention based on high genetic risk.
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Lower back pain presentations in Emergency Department
Around 70 percent of people will experience lower back pain at some stage of their lives.
A recent study conducted over five years found one in three people suffering from lower back pain presented to hospital via an ambulance.In many cases people will attend an emergency department when they feel they can’t manage their pain or when treatments by community healthcare services have been ineffective or inaccessible due to location or cost. However, 90 per cent of people can get better on their own in a few weeks.
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Physiotherapist, exercise physiologist support for management of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is commonly managed medically and typically with treatment. Exercise is also essential in the management of osteoporosis but tends to be under-utilised due to lack of knowledge and unfounded concerns about the risk of injury. In fact, optimal care of people with low bone mass, osteoporosis and/or increased risk of falling can and should include targeted exercise to help prevent osteoporotic fracture.
In early 2024, Healthy Bones Australia released a summary of the principles of osteogenic loading and fall prevention, the translation of those principles into clinical practice, evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription, and special considerations, along with links to several relevant resources for people with or at risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures.
