Project objectives in Helsinki
The goals of the project in Helsinki are to
- clarify and implement the processes and service chains relating to lifestyle counselling (physical activity, nutrition, sleep, alcohol) across the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division, municipal Helsinki and organisations
- strengthen recording practices, taking target groups into account, and integrate this development work into health and wellbeing promotion
- develop and integrate into everyday operations the operational models for service coordination and bringing up lifestyle based on the cross-sectoral health and wellbeing promotion service concept created as part of the Sustainable Growth Project (2022–2025)
- take digital service paths into account when developing lifestyle counselling.
Furthermore, its long-term goal is to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities.
Target groups of the project
In Helsinki, the project’s target group consists of
- people of working age who are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include being overweight (especially abdominal obesity), low physical activity, genetic predisposition, ethnic background, ageing, previous gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome (such as high blood pressure and high lipid levels), an unhealthy diet, smoking and insufficient sleep, among others.
- City of Helsinki professionals who provide lifestyle counselling.
Project schedule, implementers and funding
The project period is from 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2027.
In addition to Helsinki, the joint project involves the wellbeing services counties of Central Uusimaa, Western Uusimaa and Vantaa and Kerava, as well as Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. HUS Helsinki University Hospital is also involved as a partner through the regional health and wellbeing promotion cooperation group, and the East Uusimaa wellbeing services county is monitoring the project’s progress.
The project is funded by the ‘Terveydeksi’ national health and wellbeing programme (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health) and the Get Finland Moving programme (Ministry of Education and Culture).