Press releases and news

When it comes to walking or cycling to work or place of study, 19% of women and 15% of men living in Finland maintain a physically active commute all year round, reveals the Healthy Finland Survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). A physically active commute refers to walking or cycling the entire way, or walking or cycling more than one kilometre combined with taking public transport.

According to a survey conducted by THL, the majority of parents with preschool children who participated in the study are satisfied with their lives. However, there is stress especially in single-parent families. In addition, the comprehensive wellbeing of families needs more attention.

THL has instructed wellbeing services counties to continue vaccinations against whooping cough (pertussis) for pregnant women until the end of April 2025. The aim is to prevent serious cases of whooping cough in babies. It is safe to get the vaccine while pregnant, and it is highly effective in protecting newborn babies from developing whooping cough.

In Finland, tick-borne encephalitis occurs especially in coastal areas and  archipelago. The tick-borne encephalitis vaccination, which is included in the national vaccination programme, is given free of charge to people living or staying long-term in areas with a high risk of tick-borne encephalitis. The risk areas where the vaccination is offered are determined by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). In early January, THL added areas in Espoo, Kirkkonummi, Uusikaupunki and Hailuoto to the list of risk areas.