Press releases and news

It is safe to swim at public beaches in Finland. Most of Finnish bathing waters, about 93 per cent, were classified as being of excellent or good quality. This is one percentage point less than in the previous monitoring period. This information is available in the European Environment Agency’s recently published bathing water quality report.

THL has recommended the dtap vaccination providing protection against whooping cough (pertussis) in pregnancy since last August because of an increase in the number of whooping cough cases. As from 1 July, the vaccination will be included in the national vaccination programme for them.

According to a recent assessment, a large-scale outbreak of avian influenza on fur farms in Finland is unlikely. However, if an outbreak were to occur, it would pose a moderate health risk to individuals working with fur animals. The risk can be mitigated through proper disease prevention measures on fur farms, adherence to the protection instructions issued for farm workers, and with vaccinations.

According to THL’s recent statistics, the number of clients in shelters for victims of domestic violence continued to increase last year, like it has done in the two previous years. In 2024, shelters had more than 5,800 clients, which is eight per cent more than in the previous year.

The risk test for chronic diseases has been published online. The test provides a quick and easy way to assess one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and/or memory disorders. The test was developed by THL and the Finnish Diabetes Association.

Alpha-PVP ("peukku") is increasingly used especially in the vicinity of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. However, regional differences are significant, and its use is strongly concentrated in Southern and Southwest Finland. THL’s recent wastewater study indicates that the amphetamine and cocaine consumption volumes measured in 2024 are also among the highest ever measured in many cities and surroundings.

In morbidity, the latest results of the National Health Index reveal the most significant regional differences in alcohol-related diseases, and in incapacity for work, the differences are greatest in access to vocational rehabilitation.

The number of open care clients in child welfare has begun to decline. In 2024, there were 34,900 children as open care clients in child welfare, a decrease of 9 per cent from 2023. 

Two out of three higher education students wish to have children in the future, men slightly more frequently than women. Women’s wishes of having children have decreased in recent years. These results were obtained in the Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT) conducted by THL in the spring of 2024.

Coverage for second doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines administered to six-year-old children has decreased, which increases the risk of a measles epidemics. Being unvaccinated remains rare in Finland, but the share of fully unvaccinated children is higher than previously.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common communicable diseases in the world. According to an estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a total of 10.6 million people were infected with tuberculosis in 2023 and 1.3 million died from it. The highest number of cases were diagnosed in Asia and Africa. 

According to THL’s register data, the number of ADHD diagnoses among children and young people has continued to increase in Finland. In 2023, approximately 11% of boys of primary school age had an ADHD diagnosis. The corresponding share for boys aged 13 to 17 was approximately 10%. The administrative prevalence of ADHD diagnoses among girls was approximately 4% at primary school age and about 6% among those aged 13 to 17.

During their first two years of operation, the wellbeing services counties have undertaken a significant reform of their health and social services. However, the development of services is challenged by the pressure to adjust their finances,” explains THL’s extensive report. 

Spring migration of birds increases the risk of avian influenza infections. This year, avian influenza has so far been detected in Finland in jackdaws in Turku at the end of January and in a goshawk in Taivassalo in February. No avian influenza infections have been diagnosed in humans in Finland, but there have been cases in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

The directors of THL and five other European public health agencies have published an open letter in the prestigious Lancet magazine on behalf of the World Health Organization.

A recent study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare shows that the avian influenza vaccine provides protection against the disease caused by the currently circulating avian influenza viruses. In Finland, avian influenza vaccinations have been offered to occupational groups at increased risk of the disease, such as those working with fur animals and poultry, since summer 2024.

A record number of clients stayed at shelters for victims of domestic violence  in 2024. A total of 5,759 clients stayed at shelters, which is about four hundred more than in 2023. This is indicated in THL’s preliminary data for 2024. 

A both nationally and internationally unique data bank will be established in Finland, compiling information on up to 200,000 children born within the next few years and their families. The information will be utilized in scientific research aimed at supporting the well-being of the population in the coming decades.

A crisis-resilient society is made up of healthy, adaptable and mutually supportive people and systems that strengthen the health and welfare of the population. According to a recent report by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, most Finns feel safe in their lives and trust societal actors and their loved ones, but their trust in frameworks such as political decision-making and the health care system has declined in recent years. The feeling of insecurity has also become more common, especially among older people.

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.