With an aging population and declining birth rates, maintaining Finns' work ability and functional capacity is increasingly important. Mental health problems continue to rise and have become the most common reason for sick leave. Insufficient physical activity among Finns also affects work ability and functional capacity, causing annual costs of up to € three billion.
Inactivity is also linked to obesity. In 2023, more than 1.2 million adults in Finland were obese, with untreated obesity potentially costing nearly € three billion annually. Additionally, one quarter of boys and one fifth of girls aged 2–16 years have overweight or obesity. Finland can improve health and wellbeing and curb the societal costs of widespread chronic diseases by making full use of nature's positive health effects.
The beneficiaries of the programme are all citizens, especially children and young people, the elderly, those facing mental health problems, and stressed employees. The program's objectives combine health promotion and disease prevention, improving the wellbeing of people and the environment, and enhancing the sustainability of the national economy. Achieving these goals requires cross-sectoral cooperation, communication, and long-term action.
This challenge is addressed through the ten-year Health from nature programme, which is founded on comprehensive preparatory work and robust scientific evidence. The programme places particular emphasis on the promotion of human health and well-being, as well as on the prevention of disease through the systematic utilization of nature.
Goals
The Health from nature programme is a national ten-year initiative whose long-term main goal is to increase well-being and reduce chronic diseases by strengthening exposure to nature in everyday life and in social and healthcare services. In addition to the long-term main goal, the programme has five sub-goals:
- Awareness and understanding of nature's health benefits have increased in society,
- Nature's health benefits are integrated into social and healthcare education, guidelines, and practices,
- People's opportunities to be exposed to nature in their daily lives have improved,
- Nature's health benefits are considered in land use and local area planning and maintenance, and
- Time spent in nature and physical activity in nature have increased.
Implementation
The Health from nature programme is implemented through five key thematic areas:
- Public communication
- Nature-based health promotion in the social and health care sector
- Nature-based health promotion in municipalities
- Nature-based health promotion in working life
- Nature-based health promotion by civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Across these areas, the programme carries out concrete actions to promote the health benefits of nature. The work is carried out in close collaboration with a broad range of actors and stakeholder groups.
Funding
Funding for the initial phase of the programme was provided by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund.
Partners
The Health from nature programme is implemented in close cooperation with a broad network of stakeholders. Key stakeholders include research institutions, municipalities, wellbeing services counties, NGOs, companies, and various government sectors.
Contact details
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