Public Health Research Program

The projects within the Public Health Research Program focus upon major public health problems. These include projects focusing upon health and disease from a life course perspective as well as projects on health promotion and in social gerontology. Furthermore, risk factors for overweight and obesity are studied in a cohort of healthy teenagers.

Two young children are playing outdoors in an autumn setting, sitting on the ground with toy kitchen items and a plush deer. They are dressed in warm clothing, surrounded by fallen leaves, with a playground structure and a yellow building in the background.

Public Health Research Groups

Three teenagers are sitting outdoors on a bench, dressed in warm jackets and hoodies, smiling and engaged in conversation. The background features a tree with autumn leaves and a red building, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

Finnish Health in Teens Study – Fin-HIT

The Finnish Health in Teens study – Fin-HIT – is a prospective school-based cohort study including approximately 11,000 Finnish adolescents aged 9–12 years at enrolment across densely populated areas of Finland.

A young child wearing a red sun hat with a strawberry pattern is standing in a sunny park, smiling slightly. The background features lush green trees and a modern building, creating a bright and cheerful outdoor scene.

Health Promotion and Public Health

The group consists of several projects in health promotion and public health research, with focus on children's and youth's health and well-being.

Two elderly women are sitting outdoors on chairs, participating in a group exercise with ankle weights. They are smiling and lifting their legs in unison, surrounded by greenery and a residential building in the background.

Healthy Aging

The Healthy Aging group investigates current topics in older populations and aims to strengthen research particularly in the field of active and healthy aging.

A black and white photograph of five women of different ages standing in a row, facing the same direction with smiles on their faces. The image symbolizes the passage of time and generational connection.

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) has provided new insights into the early origins of health and disease from a life course perspective.

Contact us

Johan Eriksson

Program Director, Group Leader

+358 40 501 6595

See profile