Brain Health Strategy

Brain diseases affect almost all Finns directly or indirectly, as well as millions of people worldwide. Neurocenter Finland and Finnish Brain Council (a member of European Brain Council) together form the Finnish Brain Health Network. The main mission of the Finnish Brain Health Network is to launch a comprehensive and sustainable Finnish Brain Health Strategy.

The purpose of Finland’s Brain Health Strategy is to promote:

1. Education and communication that advance brain health awareness

Goal: Increase awareness of brain health and ways to strengthen brain well-being, with an emphasis on individual agency and community participation.

2. Research, development, and innovation in brain health and brain diseases

Goal: Deepen scientific understanding of brain function and brain diseases, and apply research-based knowledge in practice.

3. Improvement of brain disease treatment

Goal: Develop prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation for neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders, and improve accessibility and consistency of care nationwide.

4. Societal impact – towards a brain-healthy society

Goal: Integrate brain health into education, legislation, functional capacity policies, economics, and social and environmental policy.

Brain Health Network Finland

Economic costs and an aging population

At some point in life, every Finn is affected by a brain-related disorder, either in their own life or in a close relative’s life. Apart from mobility issues, the symptoms of brain disease may appear as problems in cognitive memory, observation, understanding or speech-related difficulties. Brain disorders can cause behavioral dysfunction or issues in alertness; they can also manifest as depressive or other psychiatric symptoms. Because of the complexity of brain function, brain disorders are often difficult to diagnose and treat. In 2010, the economic cost of brain disorders in Finland was estimated to be around 8.6 billion EUR. Brain diseases were responsible for nearly a quarter of direct healthcare costs. In the future, as Finland’s population ages, healthcare costs caused by brain-related diseases are expected to increase considerably. At present, approximately 125,000 people suffer from memory disorders in Finland, with 14,500 more individuals diagnosed every year. The economic costs of memory disorders depends on the stage of the disease. The social cost of therapeutic care is nearly EUR 1 billion, of which approximately 85% is due to 24-hour care required by these individuals.

One in five Finns becomes ill with depression during their lifetime, and over half of these experience chronic, permanent recurrence. Episodes of depression are most common in adolescents, and the incidence decreases with age. Among young adults in Finland, almost one in five has suffered from depression. Two and a half million work days are lost each year as a result of depression-related illnesses, with a total cost of 900 million EUR. According to the WHO forecast, by 2020, severe depression will become the second-most important public health problem worldwide after coronary heart disease.

The rapid development of medicine can contribute to healthcare spending. As diagnostic methods improve, brain diseases can be identified and treated earlier. However, as more and more of us live for nearly a hundred years, each individual can suffer a greater number of illnesses during their life and be treated for them. Western lifestyles have been shown to increase the prevalence of lifestyle diseases and brain disorders in the population.

With research, we can improve the prevention and treatment of brain diseases

Society should be better prepared for the burden of brain diseases by investing in research for preventive measures as well as their treatment. Apart from the human aspect of care, support for scientific research on brain disorders from public funds is a profitable investment for the future of Finland.

Useful information

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It regulates and controls nearly all bodily functions, such as rational thinking, emotions, heart rate, breathing, and sleep. For this reason, brain health is essential for a long and good life.

Terveyskylä is an online healthcare service developed by experts together with patients. It provides information and support for everyone, care for patients, and tools for professionals. The service includes virtual “houses” tailored to different life situations and symptoms.

https://www.terveyskyla.fi/

Aivotalo is an eHealth service developed by healthcare professionals. It offers support and information about brain health and adult brain diseases. Reliable information helps anticipate disease-related situations and reduces uncertainty about the future. Aivotalo is open 24/7, every day of the week.

https://www.terveyskyla.fi/aivotalo/

The Rare Diseases House provides comprehensive information about rare diseases and their treatment. It also offers support for people of all ages living with a rare disease and their families. This service, developed by healthcare professionals, is always accessible to everyone regardless of residence or treatment location.
https://www.terveyskyla.fi/harvinaissairaudet

https://www.terveyskyla.fi/harvinaissairaudet

The Pain Management House offers evidence-based information on various pain conditions and pain treatment. The service helps patients understand their pain and develop pain management strategies. The information provided also helps family members better understand pain experiences and their impact on daily life.

https://www.terveyskyla.fi/kivunhallintatalo

The Mental Health House provides information, self-care programs, guides, symptom navigators, and service searches.

https://www.mielenterveystalo.fi/

Patient organizations, associations, and foundations

Various patient organizations, associations, and foundations have compiled extensive information on brain health and different brain diseases. Below you will find reliable sources on the topic.

Suomen aivot ry is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting brain health based on scientific research. Its founders include the most significant patient and scientific organizations in the field.

http://www.suomenaivot.fi/

Aivoliitto is an organization for everyone with a developmental language disorder or who has experienced a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Aivoliitto supports and helps its target groups to live a good everyday life.

https://www.aivoliitto.fi/

Aivovammaliitto is an advocacy organization for people with brain injuries and their families. Its purpose is to promote independent and equal participation in society for people with brain injuries.

https://aivovammaliitto.fi/

ALS Research Support Association ry aims to promote and support multidisciplinary ALS research in Finland and maintain a peer support forum for ALS patients and their families.

http://alstuttu.org/www/

Epilepsy Association supports people living with epilepsy and their families in achieving an equal and independent life.

https://www.epilepsia.fi/

Muscular Dystrophy Association is a national disability organization that supports the rights of people with muscle diseases to live an equal, diverse, and good life. Its key services include advocacy, adaptation training, and information dissemination.

https://www.lihastautiliitto.fi/fi/Etusivu

Memory Association provides information on memory, memory disorders, and its activities on its website.

https://www.muistiliitto.fi/fi/etusivu

Neuroliitto is an organization for people with MS and rare neurological diseases and their families. It advocates for their interests in societal decision-making and offers counseling, rehabilitation, and housing services.

https://neuroliitto.fi

Parkinson Association is a national public health and disability organization. It works to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, Huntington’s disease, and other movement disorders, as well as their families.

https://www.parkinson.fi/

Brain Foundation provides grants for research on the brain and nervous system. The foundation also publishes expert articles and videos on brain health, brain diseases, and brain research. It operates on donations.

https://www.aivosaatio.fi/