THL Population Collections
THL population collections provide a broad overview of the health, lifestyle, and well-being of Finnish adults. They are used to monitor long-term changes in the risk factors for chronic diseases, functional capacity, and health behavior. From THL Biobank, three major study series are available: FINRISK, Health 2000/2011, and FinHealth 2017.
FINRISK studies 1992–2012
FINRISK studies are population surveys conducted every five years to assess risk factors for chronic diseases and health behavior in the working-age population. From THL Biobank, data are available for the study years 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. Available materials include extensive phenotype data, clinical and laboratory measurements, questionnaires, and various omics datasets. Participants are followed long-term via national registers, such as the Care Register for Health Care, Causes of Death Register, and Cancer Register.
Variable descriptions FR1992-FR2012 (xls 240kt)
Health 2000 and 2011 studies
Health 2000 is a large combination of interviews and health examinations, involving more than 8,000 persons aged 30 or older living on the Finnish mainland. The study has produced extensive information on key public health issues as well as the population’s functional and work ability.
The follow-up study conducted in 2011 collected new interview, questionnaire, and measurement data from over 5,000 participants. Both cohorts remain under continuous register-based follow-up.
Variable descriptions H2000/2011 (xls 551kt)
FinHealth 2017 study
FinHealth 2017 continues the legacy of FINRISK and Health 2000/2011 studies. It provides up-to-date information on the health, lifestyle, functional capacity, and well-being of adult population in Finland. Participants filled in self‑administered questionnaires and took part in a clinical health examination.
FinHealth 2017 also includes a wide range of samples, such as plasma, serum and DNA.
Variable descriptions FH17 (85,2kt)
Across all population collections, a wide variety of biological samples, register-based disease endpoints, and omics data (e.g., genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics) are available.
LIITE Register-based disease endpoints (Note: using register endpoints in biobank research requires a data permit from Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority, Findata)
Sample availability table (pdf 243kt)
Omics availability table (pdf 284 kt)
Other Data and Sample Collections
SUPER study
The Finnish SUPER study is part of the international Stanley Global Neuropsychiatric Genomics Initiative, which aims to increase understanding of the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. The Finnish component is coordinated by the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki.
Super study includes samples from more than 10 000 Finnish individuals with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (ICD-10: F20–F29, F30.2, F31.2, F31.5, F32.3, F33.3). In addition to samples, information from health examinations as well as questionnaire and interview data are available. THL Biobank provides access to research data from 9,300 participants who gave biobank consent.
Variable descriptions SUPER (xls 13,6kt)
GeneRISK-tutkimus
GeneRISK is a prospective cohort study examining genetic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and the use of genetic information in disease prevention. The main aim was to determine how sharing personalized risk information affects participants’ health behavior over the long term.
The Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki coordinated the study. CAREA, Mehiläinen, and the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service recruited a total of 7342 randomly selected persons aged 45–65 years from Southern Finland during 2015–2017. The research team collected baseline samples and information between 2015 and 2018.
THL Biobank provides access to information collected in health examinations, interviews, and questionnaires, as well as DNA, plasma, and serum samples from more than 7300 participants.
Variable descriptions GeneRISK (xls 40 kt)
GWAS cohort
THL Biobank’s GWAS cohort consists of 159 000 biobank participants for whom genome-wide genotyped and imputed genome data and minimum phenotypes (age, sex, height, weight, BMI, and smoking status) are available. In addition to the studies mentioned above, the cohort includes participants from:
- Botnia study
- Corogene study
- Fin-HIT study
- FinIPF study
- FUSION study
- Twin study
- Migraine study
- Helsinki Heart Study (HHS)
- SETTI cancer prevention study
- THL diabetes studies
- THL psychiatric family collections
The GWAS cohort can be linked to national registry data. DNA samples are available for almost all participants, plasma, and/or serum samples for a subset.
Variable descriptions GWAS cohort (xls 13,3kt)