Terveystoimen

Terveystoimen is the Finnish term referring to the administrative domain responsible for organizing and delivering health care and related social services. It encompasses preventive public health work, primary health care, specialized medical care, mental health services, and social services that support health and wellbeing. The term is used in official contexts to describe the sector that plans, finances, and steers the provision of health and welfare services to residents.

Organization and governance of terveystoimen varies across Finland. Traditionally, municipalities and joint municipal authorities carried primary responsibility for public health and social services, with regional hospital districts coordinating specialized medical care. As part of ongoing reforms, regional structures known as wellbeing services counties (hyvinvointialueet) have been established to coordinate and deliver health care and social services on a wider geographic level, while municipalities retain some local responsibilities and duties outside the health and social services domain. This arrangement aims to integrate services and improve the efficiency and consistency of care.

Core tasks within terveystoimen include planning, financing, and governance of health and social services; implementation of preventive measures and health promotion; provision of primary care, specialized medical care, hospital services, and mental health services; support for families, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities; and public health surveillance. The intent is to ensure accessible, high-quality care and to reduce health inequalities through coordinated service delivery across local and regional levels.

Challenges commonly faced in this sector involve funding levels, population aging, regional disparities, integration of health and social care, and the adoption of digital health solutions to improve access and efficiency.