For families

Frequently asked questions about Future Finland

• What does the Future Finland Birth Cohort mean?

  A birth cohort is a group of people born during a specific time frame – often within the same year or range of years – who are studied together over time.

  Researchers use birth cohorts to understand how early life factors influence health, development and well-being throughout life.

  The Future Finland birth cohort will follow all children born in Finland between 2025 and 2029, along with their families, creating a rich dataset that helps answer questions about childhood development, public health, and societal change.

  The cohort also includes families who move to Finland later, if they have children born during those years. This ensures the study reflects the diversity of families living in Finland and supports inclusive, future-oriented research.

  The data collected from participating families will be used in research that produces valuable insights into children's well-being, their living environments, and broader societal trends and transformations. This knowledge supports decision-making and supports the development of services that better meet the needs of children and families in Finland.

• What kind of data is collected in Future Finland?

  The data collection in Future Finland includes:

  • national register data
  • questionnaire data
  • biological samples
  • body composition measurements of newborns

  National registers are a cornerstone of the  Future Finland birth cohort. These comprehensive databases are maintained by trusted public institutions, such as Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), and Statistics Finland.

  In addition to national register data, the Future Finland birth cohort will include online questionnaires. These surveys explore areas that are not captured by registers, such as everyday family life, well-being and emotional experiences, parent-child interaction and personal experiences.

  With informed consent, families are asked to allow the use of blood samples collected during pregnancy and at birth for research purposes. In addition, some newborns may undergo body composition measurements, which provide valuable insights into early growth and physical development.

  All biological data is handled with strict privacy protections and ethical oversight to ensure the safety and trust of participating families.

  Data in the Future Finland birth cohort is gathered from multiple sources to create a comprehensive and reliable picture of the well-being of children, young people, and families − and how it changes over time.

• How the collected data will be used?

  The data collected through the Future Finland birth cohort will be used in research to generate meaningful insights into children's well-being, their living environments, and broader societal changes. Future Finland offers an unprecedented opportunity to understand − and shape − Finnish society for future generations.

  The collected data will also support evidence-based decision-making and the development of services that better respond to the needs of children and families.

• How can I participate?

  The data collection for the Future Finland birth cohort– including questionnaires and biological samples – will begin in 2026 within the HUS (Helsinki University Hospital) area and gradually expand across Finland in the following years.

  To participate, you need to give consent for the use of biological samples collected during pregnancy, at birth, and shortly after for research purposes. Consent can be given online − either during pregnancy or immediately after birth. For newborn samples, either parent can give consent on behalf of the child. For samples collected during pregnancy, only the pregnant person can give consent.

  More information about giving consent will be available once data collection begins in your area. You will receive details, for example, during visits to your local maternity clinic and ultrasound screening appointments.

  By participating in Future Finland, you will:

  • give consent for the use blood samples collected during pregnancy and at birth for research purposes.
  • be invited to complete online questionnaires about your own and your child’s well-being.
  • give consent for combining of questionnaire and biological sample data with national register data for research purposes.

• Why should I participate?

  Future Finland offers families a one-of-a-kind opportunity to contribute to the well-being of future generations. By participating, you will support research that improves living conditions and public services. 

  Your involvement benefits not only your own family, but also children and families across the country and generations to come to have a better chance to live healthier, happier lives.

• Is it safe to participate?

  All information you provide to Future Finland is handled with strict confidentiality and securely and protected. We have strict data protection standards in all aspects of data usage. All research data and results are anonymized, ensuring that neither you nor your child can be identified.

  The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is responsible for the handling and storing all samples and data securely, in full compliance with national and international data protection regulations.

  More information will be available once data collection begins in your area, including the Future Finland privacy notice published on this website.

• What if I don’t want to participate?

  You don’t need to submit a separate refusal. Without your consent, your samples will not be used in Future Finland research. Participation in the surveys is completely voluntary.

  You may withdraw your given consent for the use of your and your child’s samples at any time by submitting a written notice to the THL Biobank. Once consent is withdrawn, your samples and data will no longer be transferred or used in any future research.