Finnish Centre for Health Promotion

The Finnish Centre for Health Promotion (FCHP) aims to increase the functionality of communities and the possibilities of individual persons to manage their everyday life by enabling health-supporting choices in ways that increase the equality between various population groups. This goal requires our society to adopt the health promotion as an integral part of public policy.

We work in collaboration with actors in various related fields, especially in supporting health-promoting activities of our member organisations. We have 127 members, representing organisations in the health sector and other communities.

Activities of the Finnish Centre for Health Promotion

Our practical activities are composed of three complementary units:

Basic activities

• health-promoting policies and expert activities
• international activities
• communication

Quality and service activities

• quality work
• administration and planning
• development of structures
• evaluation tools of organisations

Prevention of substance abuse

• influencing and expert activities
• substance abuse prevention programmes of organisations
• common campaigns

Opportunities to take care of one’s health and that of the environment

At its most extensive, the promotion of health includes creation of health promoting opportunities, primary and secondary prevention, treatment of illnesses and rehabilitation. Above all, our activities focus on the creation of opportunities, but also on the prevention of illnesses and harmful effects.

The promotion of health compromises

1. seeking, creating, and increasing opportunities that support health
2. supporting things that have a positive impact on health
3. accomplishing changes that support and produce health
4. increasing equality in matters related to health
5. being active at the level of individuals, communities and societies

It concerns all of us

We highlight the promotion of health at the level of individuals, communities and societies.

Individuals must be offered opportunities to take care of their own health and that of the environment even before potential problems or illnesses arise. Similarly, various communities must be supported as factors that improve health.

Productive health promotion requires social policies that are able to create circumstances conducive to choices that improve health. The health impact assessment should be integrated into decision-making processes on all levels and in all sectors of society.

We work so that businesses, too, may take health-related issues into consideration in their operations.

The health status of Finns has improved

Health is an essential element of the ability to work and function. Health is one of the essential factors enabling persons to function in society and to experience and do things that are important to them and improve their quality of life. Two thirds of Finns of working age assess their health status as good or fairly good. The proportion of working-age Finns who regard their health as good has increased in most age groups in recent years.

The reasons for the improvement of the health status of Finns can be found in several factors:

• the increase in the level of education
• the change in many living habits to be healthier than before
• the improvement of living and working conditions
• the development of health services and social security

Despite this positive development, there are health problems in Finland, and some of them are even getting worse. Moreover, not all population groups have been able to enjoy the benefits of the general improvement in health status and the greater life expectancy in an equal manner.

Building a healthier society

On a national level, it is important to have a cohesive view on the promotion of health and activities included in it. In addition to strengthening this view, we have defined other challenges we may address in order to best work toward the realisation of our goals.

Challenges that are likely to affect our activities within the next few years:

1. A cohesive view and definition of the promotion of health



2. International development
   • globalisation
   • European Union


3. Challenges related to population groups
   • changes in the age structure of the population
   • health and well-being of children, young people, and families with children


4. Challenges related to way of life
   • mental health
   • control and prevention of the consumption of alcohol (and other intoxicants)
   • nonsmoking
   • weight control

In considering future challenges, our starting point is to decrease the health-related differences based on socio-economic factors.

Administration

The supreme decision-making body of the Finnish Centre for Health Promotion is a meeting held at least twice a year and open to all member organisations. The executive power is exercised by a board of 11 members. FCHP employs about 30 professionals from various disciplines.

Finnish Centre for Health Promotion
Karjalankatu 2 C 63
FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland

tel. +358 9 7253 0300
fax +358 9 7253 0320

e-mail: firstname.surname@health.fi

Executive Director Mr. Janne Juvakka

Information Services
“Promo” magazine
Communication Manager Eija Ahola
Communication Planner Ulla Heinola
Information Officer Tuula Kolari

Publication subscriptions
Office Secretary Leena Åhman

Development of the Quality of Health Promotion
Development Manager Pirjo Koskinen-Ollonqvist
Planner Mervi Aalto-Kallio
Planner Heidi Hakulinen
Planner Päivi Nykyri
Planner Heikki Parviainen
Planner Päivi Rouvinen-Wilenius

Address and Health Material Register
Office Secretary Ippa Koivunen

Substance Abuse Prevention Work
Development Manager Ritva Varamäki
Planner Anna Järvinen
Planner Laura Kouri (on maternity leave)
Planner Marjo Lindeberg (on maternity leave)
Planner Heli Litja
Planner Päivi Opari (on maternity leave)
Planner Arja Puska
Planner Kaarina Tamminiemi
Planner Suvi Tella

Funds for Health Promotion and Project Proposals
Administration
Administrative Manager Tarja Bergström

Administration and Finance
Financial Manager Kaarina Ylesmäki
Financial Secretary Päivi Korventausta

Information Technology
Data Systems Designer Alpo Koski