Finland

Country profile

Finland is situated in the north of Europe and has a population of around 5.4 million with the largest part living in the southern regions. Finland is governed by a central government working out of Helsinki, along with 336 municipal governments.
Finland has a highly decentralized public healthcare system and only a small degree of private healthcare. The municipal governments are responsible for the organization and delivery of healthcare.

Finland is known for it educational system, which is judged the best in Europe. Finland has also been ranked as one of the world's most peaceful, competitive and livable countries. Finland’s emphasis on citizen equality and on accessible and high quality welfare services has a long tradition, and Finland has a highly developed welfare state.

Policy responses

Finland was among the first EU countries to address health inequality issues, which have been on the agenda of Finish politicians since the 1980’s. Ever since, the topic has been included in all major health programmes, as well as in the broader Government strategies.

Finland has a long-standing strong tradition of cross-governmental collaboration, and the Health in All Policies approach was for example high on the agenda during the 2006 EU Finnish Presidency. Also, a multi-sectoral advisory board on Public health has been established that pushes for a shift in dialogue to a wider view, and address the broader determinants. However, despite the efforts, levels of inequalities are still growing in the Finish society, along with public budgets being cut due to the economic crisis.

An overview of policy responses addressing health inequalities in can be found in our Policy Database.

Good practices

Key actors

Please find below an overview of key actors in Finland working on health inequality issues:

• National Public Health Institute (KTL)

• STAKES (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health)

• Central Statistical Office of Finland

• Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö - Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet - Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

• Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos THL - National Institute for Health and Welfare THL

• Työterveyslaitos - Arbesthälsoinstitutet - Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

• Terveyden edistämisen keskus - Finnish Centre for Health Promotion

• TEROKA Group The TEROKA group works to tackle health inequalities by promoting networking between the actors (municipalities, central government, research institutions, organisations etc.), strengthening the knowledge-base and disseminating information, encouraging policies and practical measures and building models for the reduction of health inequalities. The work is carried out by experts from the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH). 

• Sosiaali- ja terveysturvan keskusliitto - Federation of social welfare and health
   

Are you aware of any other key actors that should be added to this list? 
Please let us know!

Key resources

Please find below an overview of relevant documents addressing health inequality issues in Finland. Further publications can be found in our Publications Database.

• Health inequalities in Finland. Trends in socioeconomic health differences 1980-2005.

• Health in All Policies. Prospects and potentials.

• Health for All by the Year 2000, The Finnish national Strategy, Ministry of Social Affairs and health, 1986. (no electronic version in English available). This document targets the attainment of not only best possible level of health in the population but also its even distribution.

• Government Resolution on the Health 2015 public health programme. (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2001) 
   

Are you aware of any other key resources that should be added to this list?
Please let us know!