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YouthWiki

EACEA National Policies Platform
Finland

Finland

7. Health and Well-Being

Last update: 28 November 2023

In regards to young people’s health and well-being, schools play an important role in Finland. A young person is entitled to have school health care, dental care, contraception and other sexual health counselling for young people. If a young person needs further guidance, which a school cannot offer, a school is responsible for directing them to further treatment. The promotion of healthy eating habits is part of the Finnish education system, while Sports and Health education are both mandatory subjects in educational institutions. Health education is a standalone academic subject, which is taught in all comprehensive schools, and it must have dedicated teaching staff.  Topics of health education include sexual education, healthy eating and nutrition, and preventing risky behaviour. For more information, visit: Youth Wiki/Finland: 7.4 Health and Well-Being: Healthy lifestyles and healthy nutrition.  

Since the goal is to offer comprehensive health and welfare services to all young people, mechanisms of early detection are not primarily based on identifying target groups. The implementation of student welfare may vary in educational institutions. However, education providers are always responsible for organising statutory welfare services for students. Those young people who are not attending school are entitled to the same health services as other residents in the municipality. Additionally, several municipalities offer tailored services to young people.  

The organisation of public healthcare, social welfare and rescue services has been reformed in Finland. The responsibility for organising these services has been transferred from municipalities to wellbeing services counties from 2023. The key objective of the reform is to improve the availability and quality of basic public services throughout Finland, to reinforce primary level services and to shift the emphasis towards preventive work.