Photo: Sanket Mishra

According to the recent Digiturva Barometer by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, the sense of security among Finns in the digital environment remains high, with 85 percent considering the digital landscape to be at least moderately secure. However, 28 percent report a decline in trust in digital security over the past six months, driven by a significant rise in cybercrime and the introduction of new artificial intelligence services, which have generated interest but also skepticism.

Morning equipment inspection by the Physician Response Unit. From left to right: Paramedic Jonna Kilponen, EMS Physician Tuukka Puolakka, and Paramedic Jami Kurki. Photo: HUS / Selma Savage

A groundbreaking extracorporeal blood oxygenation treatment known as ECPR (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has shown promising results in saving the lives of cardiac arrest patients, according to a recent study conducted at HUS.

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency, and despite quick and efficient emergency care, restoring blood circulation is not always possible.

In the Red Cross first aid training, participants learn how to assist someone heavily intoxicated, for example, in an overdose situation. Image: Harri Mäenpää / Finnish Red Cross

As part of World First Aid Day celebrations on September 9th, the Finnish Red Cross has initiated specialized first aid training targeting individuals who use substances. These training sessions, led by volunteers, aim to reduce accidents and fatalities, particularly those resulting from overdoses.

The inaugural substance-focused first aid training sessions organized by the Finnish Red Cross took place in Satakunta and Varsinais-Suomi regions.

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The autumn joint application period for higher education institutions, which concluded on September 14, 2023, has seen remarkable interest in the offerings of Diak, with its Oulu campus's Social Work programs garnering significant attention. Among Diak's 340 available study places, 55 were dedicated to Social Work programs in Oulu, including the Bachelor of Social Services and the Bachelor of Social Services in Diaconal Work.

Photo: Hanken School of Economics

Hanken School of Economics has achieved its highest-ever ranking in the prestigious Financial Times Masters in Management ranking, securing the 46th spot. This remarkable ascent represents a significant leap from their 62nd place last year and underscores the institution's commitment to maintaining a high standard of education on an international scale.

The Financial Times compiles an annual list of the world's best master's programmes, and Hanken's remarkable progress reflects the school's dedication to academic excellence.

Out of the women who participated in the "Mimmit koodaa" program and went through workforce training, an impressive 90% found employment. Pictured are Milja Köpsi, the leader of the "Mimmit koodaa" program, and Rasmus Roiha, CEO of Software Finland ry (formerly known as Ohjelmisto- ja e-business ry). Photo: Software Finland ry

Software Finland, the umbrella organization for the software industry, has proposed workforce training programs for 2,000 unemployed individuals in the IT sector and 4,000 women participating in the "Mimmit koodaa" program. "Providing workforce training to these 6,000 individuals would bring Finland substantial benefits in the billion-dollar range. We can make this promise because the employment rate after such training has been as high as 90%," emphasized Rasmus Roiha, CEO of Software Finland.

More than 750,000 tourists visit Helsinki on an annual basis. This is no great surprise when we consider the numerous attractions that this city has to offer as well as its decidedly welcoming population. Are you planning a trip in the near future? If so, it is always a good idea to create an itinerary in advance. Let's take a look at five sights that should never be missed.

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MIELI ry's helpline callers are facing increasingly severe situations, with more people dialing 112. While the number of suicides in Finland has halved since the economic downturn in the 1990s, the country still has the highest suicide rate in the Nordic region, with approximately 750 suicides annually.

Suicidal thoughts have become more prevalent, as evidenced by the extensive "Terve Suomi" population study conducted by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in 2023.

Woman working at an office. LEHTIKUVA

The well-being of workers in Finland has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to a study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The report, titled "How is Finland doing?" reveals that people experienced lower work ability and engagement in the summer of 2023 compared to late 2019. Although well-being no longer appears to be declining for those under 36, none of the measured aspects of well-being at work have improved. Occupational burnout and loneliness have both increased, posing significant societal challenges.

We all know that a poor night's sleep can leave us feeling groggy and irritable, but the effects of chronic sleep deprivation on our brains go much deeper, potentially increasing the risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. A recent study in the Journal of Proteome Research sheds light on how sleep deprivation can harm our brains and provides insights into the protective mechanisms we rely on when we rest.

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Unnecessary medication use contributes to medication-related problems and increased costs.

As the temperatures drop, and people return to schools and workplaces after summer, the flu season begins. Alongside the flu season, the risk of overusing medication and experiencing medication-related issues increases.

Roughly one-quarter of patient injury reports result in compensation. Experts at the Patient Insurance Center determine, based on legal criteria, when it qualifies as a compensable injury

Every year in Finland, over 9,000 patient injury reports are filed by individuals who suspect they've suffered harm during medical treatment. The number of injury reports has stabilized at this level following the COVID-19 pandemic.

From January to June 2023, 4,618 new injury reports were submitted, roughly similar to the figures for the same period in 2022 (4,594).

A new study published in the open-access journal BMJ Oncology reveals a staggering 79 percent increase in the number of new cancer cases among individuals under the age of 50 worldwide over the past three decades (1990-2019).

In 2019, breast cancer accounted for the highest number of "early onset" cases in this age group. However, cancers of the windpipe (nasopharynx) and prostate have seen the most significant increases since 1990, according to the analysis.

The allure of Åland's archipelago continues to beckon Finnish tourists, even beyond the summer months, as the waters of the Baltic Sea remain warm well into autumn. With a short ferry ride away from the mainland, Åland offers a paradise of activities for nature enthusiasts, golfers, anglers, and food lovers alike.

Finnish tourists have now become the largest group of visitors to Åland, surpassing the Swedes, and this trend extends into the autumn season.