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THL protects and promotes health and welfare in Finland

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National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)• Formed 1 January 2009 through the merger of the

National Public Health Institute (KTL) and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES)

• Operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Starting points for establishing the new Institute:• Joining forces to step up work to promote health and

welfare in Finland• Needs of the population in terms of health and welfare• Needs of the health and social service system

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THL is nationwide

• Main location in Helsinki

• Units in six other cities: Turku, Tampere, Jyväskylä,Kuopio,Oulu and Vaasa

• Total staff about 1400

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THL's mission• THL promotes the well-being and health of the

population, prevents diseases and social problems, and supports social and health services.

• THL carries out its responsibilities through a wide range of activities: research, evaluation and follow-up, development work, expert influence, centralised national services as well as international co-operation.

• THL is a statutory statistical authority in health and welfare and maintains and provides a strong knowledge base within its field.

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THL's vision• To have major impact on health and

welfare in Finland

• To be a key player, a reliable expert and a valued partner in the protection and promotion of health and welfare

• To offer an inspiring, responsible and attractive working community

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Key figuresFunding• Total budget in 2009 is 96 million

euros: 64% from the State Budget and 36% from other funding sources

Personnel• Permanent staff: 927• Fixed-term project staff: 425• Highly multiprofessional

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Health and welfare in FinlandFinland is a highly developed welfare state with greatlyimproved health and welfare during the last few decades

Many challenges - also concerning the work of THL:

• Health inequalities and social exlusion• Population ageing and challenges of young people• Lifestyle-related challenges: alcohol, obesity etc.• Preparedness against biological threats• Constraints of welfare and health services

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THL's challenges as regards health care and social welfareThe social and health care systemhas the support and appreciation of the public.

However, there are many challenges:

• To control the growing costs of services• To meet the increasing public demand • Availability of professional personnel• Efficient organisation and management of the service

system• To maintain efficient social welfare support for all people

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THL´s organisation and management• Director General: Professor Pekka Puska, MD, PhD,

MPolSc• Executive Board: Director General, 4 Assistant Directors

General, Strategic Planning Director and Administrative Director

• Four divisions (with 9 departments and several units)• Several horizontal structures• THL has an annual performance agreement with the

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the DG reports directly to the Ministry

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Division of Welfare and Health Policies • Fields of activity: welfare and health status of the

population, living conditions, social and health policies, health and welfare economics.

• Assistant Director General: Professor Marja Vaarama

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Division of Welfare and Health Promotion • Fields of activity: health and social problems, risk factors

and determinants, prevention, promotion of health and well-being.

• Assistant Director General: Professor Erkki Vartiainen

Departments:• Chronic Disease Prevention• Lifestyle and Participation• Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction

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Division of Health Protection • Fields of activity: public health protection, with particular

focus on prevention and control of biological and health threats, infectious diseases and environmental health.

• Assistant Director General: Professor Juhani Eskola

Departments:• Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control• Vaccination and Immune Protection• Environmental Health

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Division of Health and Social Welfare Services• Fields of activity: Support and development of the

service system and service contents by means of research, information guidance, evaluation and implementation support.

• Assistant Director General: Dr Marina Erhola

Departments:• Service Delivery System• Lifecourse and Services• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

* Also responsible for state mental hospitals and reform schools

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Other functions and separate unitsTHL also has horizontal, cross-divisional functions andunits:• Administrative Services (Administrative Director Jaakko Penttinen)• Strategy and Development Unit (Strategic Planning Director Terhi

Lönnfors)• Information Department (Statistics and registers)• Department of Communications and PR • Research, Development and Innovations Unit• International Affairs Unit

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THL is international• Extensive international scientific

collaboration

• Expert co-operation and support to national participation: UN and UN organisations (WHO), EU (DG SANCO, ECDC), many international associations (IANPHI)

• Contribution to global activities in health and welfare, European and Nordic collaboration, co-operation with neighbouring areas

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National Institute for Health and Welfare• Works to protect and promote health

and welfare in Finland

• Knowledge for health and welfare

Advantages• comprehensive (covers a broad range

of health and welfare issues)• synergy between research and

impelementation work• works closely with the Ministry as an

independent and recognised authority