Press releases and news

Viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory tract infections are currently circulating widely in Finland. The influenza epidemic, for instance, is starting and the number of COVID-19 cases is on slight increase. Fortunately, the precautions to avoid infections are still valid – also during Christmas.

Tooth erosion is very common in adults. Erosion was studied extensively in Finland for the first time in the Healthy Finland population survey.

Mutated vaccine-derived type 2 poliovirus has been found in wastewater monitoring conducted by THL. The virus was found in a wastewater sample collected in the Tampere region in November. Similar findings have been made in other European countries during the autumn. So far, no cases have been identified. In Finland, vaccination coverage against polio is very good.

With over 800 million* annual spectators, domestic violence is the most watched combat sport in the world. Released on 26 November, Life at the Ringside is a documentary film by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and film director Iris Olsson that gives a voice to five Finns who spent their childhoods at the ringside – against their will. 

Positive changes have taken place in the lifestyles of higher education students over the past three years. The amount of physical activity has increased, and daily smoking and use of snus have decreased. On the other hand, negative changes can also be seen: obesity has increased and an increasing number of students find their internet use problematic.

The new Preparing for incidents and crises guide aimed at the entire population has been published in Suomi.fi.

Antimicrobial resistance is a rapidly growing threat. Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are common abroad and may easily spread to Finland by travellers.

Are you travelling during Christmas or winter holidays? Those travelling to far-off destinations should remember the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases are widespread in the southern hemisphere, also at destinations favoured by tourists. Remember to check the country-specific disease situation and recommendations well before your trip.

About half of higher education students mainly use Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) health services. In universities of applied sciences (UAS), the proportion of students using FSHS services nearly doubled, from 24% to 43%, between 2021 and 2024. These results are from the Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT) conducted last spring.

Although the total consumption of alcohol in Finland has decreased from 2008, risky drinking is still common. Of those aged 20–79, 11% or 450,000 people were in the moderate or high-risk group for long-term alcohol-related harm. The limit for the risks of adverse health effects caused by long-term use is more than 14 units per week for men and more than 7 units for women.

During the school year 2024–2025, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is studying the food habits and nutritional intake of young people.

A Finnish report has assessed for the first time the financial implications of the health benefits of nearby nature in fighting chronic diseases.

A groundbreaking joint study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Aalto University has revealed critical insights into the role of bots in shaping public health discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on Twitter.

The psychological distress of higher education students has decreased over the past three years, especially among women. The results are based on the Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT), which was conducted last spring. 

Many wellbeing services counties will begin offering influenza vaccinations to at-risk groups in October. A vaccine with an adjuvant – which creates a stronger immune response – is recommended to people aged 85 and above to ensure better vaccine protection that will last for the entire influenza season. The influenza epidemic has not yet begun in Finland.

Income difficulties have increased among higher education students over the past three years. The share of students who felt that their income was very scarce and uncertain has increased from 13% to 19% during this period.

This autumn, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is studying the well-being of adults living in Finland and their experiences of health and social services.

In addition to participating in the campaign against racism, The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) supports work communities in learning new, anti-racist working methods.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) directs wellbeing services counties to provide a booster dose of the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy. The aim is to prevent serious cases of whooping cough in babies.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC, the risk of an mpox outbreak in Europe exists but is very unlikely. In particular risk groups and persons with close personal contact with diagnosed or suspected cases have a moderate or high risk of contracting the virus. The ECDC published its risk assessment on mpox today (16 August 2024). According to the THL, Finland and other parts of Europe are well prepared to combat and diagnose possible cases of mpox.