This book is one in a series of national public health reports. It is an abbreviated and updated version of the full Finnish-language report (Suomalaisten terveys) published in 2005. Its publication has been timed to coincide with the Finnish Presidency of the EU.

The book provides an up-to-date overview of the population’s health and its determinants in Finland. Health care and social security have also been taken into account. Furthermore, care has been given to analyse time trends, differences between population groups and countries, costs and future health needs.

Publishers of this book are National Public Health Institute  KTL, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health  STAKES and Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Public health has improved considerably in Finland. In the early 1970s, male life expectancy at birth was lower than anywhere else in Western Europe, but in the past three decades the life expectancy of Finnish men has climbed to just above the average for EU-25. At the same time, the life expectancy of Finnish women, which used to be close to the European average, now ranks among the highest in Western Europe. Mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke has decreased by three-quarters from the world’s highest level in the early 1970s. The incidence of many cancers has decreased and the survival of cancer patients has improved. There has also been a major reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases, oral health has improved and mortality from traffic and work accidents has decreased. Furthermore, both perceived health and functional capacity have improved.

This progress is due to a number of factors related to population structure, living conditions and behaviour. Improvements in education levels, living and working conditions, social security, health services and health behaviour have been particularly important. Advances in social and health policy have also played a significant role in achieving these improvements.

Nevertheless, many public health problems remain unchanged and some have increased. Work disability due to mental disorders has been rapidly increasing in the last decade. Allergy, asthma, diabetes, injuries sustained in home and leisure activities, as well as obesity and alcohol-related health problems have all become more common. The improving level of health has not led to a decrease in health inequalities. In fact, health differences among subgroups of the population are in some instances even increasing. There are also other threats on the horizon. Population ageing, psychosocial problems among young people and their repercussions in later life, changing needs and expectations, as well as the growing costs of health care present huge challenges to the promotion of the nation’s health. 

02/05/2006

Editors: Seppo Koskinen, Arpo Aromaa, Jussi Huttunen and Juha Teperi.

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Health