Pekka Puska
Encyclopedia
Pekka Puska is a Finnish
professor and expert on public health and policy. Professor Puska has held the position of Director General of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
, since the beginning of 2009. THL was formed following the merger of National Public Health Institute of Finland
(KTL), and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES). Professor Puska headed KTL from 2003 to 2009.
Professor Puska is considered to have had a significant influence on Finnish public health research and practice for several decades. He spearheaded the North Karelia Project (as Director and Principal Investigator) for preventing cardiovascular disease 1972-1977, during which time, cardiovascular disease mortality fell by 80 per cent. Puska worked as a director for NCD prevention and health promotion at the World Health Organization
(WHO) Headquarters in 2001-03. In 2006 he was the Finnish candidate for the Director-General post of WHO. He also currently holds the position of President of World Heart Federation (WHF) and that of Vice-President of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
professor and expert on public health and policy. Professor Puska has held the position of Director General of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
The National Institute for Health and Welfare is a Finnish research and development institute operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. THL was formed on 1 January 2009, with the merger of the National Public Health Institute of Finland and the National Research and Development...
, since the beginning of 2009. THL was formed following the merger of National Public Health Institute of Finland
National Public Health Institute of Finland
The National Public Health Institute of Finland was a research and expert institute under the charged with the task of protecting and promoting health in Finland. KTL was founded in 1911; the final form was established in 1982 in order to promote public health in Finland.The institution had a...
(KTL), and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES). Professor Puska headed KTL from 2003 to 2009.
Professor Puska is considered to have had a significant influence on Finnish public health research and practice for several decades. He spearheaded the North Karelia Project (as Director and Principal Investigator) for preventing cardiovascular disease 1972-1977, during which time, cardiovascular disease mortality fell by 80 per cent. Puska worked as a director for NCD prevention and health promotion at the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(WHO) Headquarters in 2001-03. In 2006 he was the Finnish candidate for the Director-General post of WHO. He also currently holds the position of President of World Heart Federation (WHF) and that of Vice-President of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).