National Institute for Health and Welfare THL

THL is a research and development institute under the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. THL was founded in 2009, following the merger of the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES).

THL’s functions are

• to study, monitor and promote health and welfare in Finland
• to prevent diseases and social problems
• to evaluate, develop and guide activities in social welfare and health care
• to act as a statistical authority in the field of social welfare and health care
• to perform several special tasks for example in the fields of forensic medicine and health information management.

THL seeks to serve the broader society in addition to the scientific community, actors in the field and decision-makers in central government and municipalities.

Working at THL opens up opportunities to make a difference in social development. THL’s effectiveness is the result of a high level of expertise, knowledge sharing and teamwork. Well-being at work for all is a combination of organisation culture and management.

THL's main office is in Helsinki. We have also satellite offices in Kuopio, Oulu, Tampere and Turku. In addition, the state mental hospitals (Niuvanniemi and Vanha Vaasa) and the state child welfare units operate under THL.