kokonaisterveys

Kokonaisterveys is a Finnish term describing the state of a person’s and a population’s overall health, emphasizing a holistic view of well-being. It goes beyond the absence of disease to include physical, mental, and social dimensions, as well as functional capacity and resilience. The concept highlights how health is influenced by a range of factors, including lifestyle, environment, and social determinants.

Components of kokonaisterveys include physical health, mental health, and social well-being, each interacting with one another. Physical health covers disease prevention, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Mental health includes emotional well-being, coping skills, and the management of stress and mental disorders. Social well-being encompasses relationships, social support, participation in communities, and meaningful activity. Functional capacity and resilience refer to the ability to cope with daily life and recover from health shocks. All components are interrelated and contribute to overall quality of life.

Policy and practice in Finland often align kokonaisterveys with integrated, person-centered care and cross-sector collaboration across health, social services, education, housing, and work. Public health efforts, health promotion, and early intervention aim to maintain independence and quality of life, particularly for older adults and individuals at risk of social exclusion. Digital tools and community-based approaches can broaden access to care and support.

Measurement and challenges: The breadth of kokonaisterveys makes it difficult to quantify. Indicators typically combine subjective well-being with objective health status, functional ability, and social determinants. Differences in culture, population groups, and data availability can complicate cross-context comparisons, and equity considerations are central to its assessment.