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).

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.

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.

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.

LEHTIKUVA

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.

LEHTIKUVA

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.

Researchers at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have unveiled a ground-breaking study that holds significant potential for treating anorexia nervosa (AN), a debilitating eating disorder characterized by low body weight, body image concerns, and anxiety.

Published under the title “The impact of floatation therapy on body image and anxiety in anorexia nervosa: a randomized clinical efficacy trial”

A family watching TV at home. LEHTIKUVA

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland has unveiled a noteworthy association between children's dietary patterns, leisure activities, and cognitive development. The study's findings suggest that children who adopt healthier eating habits, read more frequently, and engage in structured sports tend to exhibit enhanced reasoning skills during the initial years of schooling.

Radiation therapist Emilia Kiias and Chief Physician Antti Loimaala. @HUS/Ville Männikkö

Helsinki University Hospital's (HUS) Isotope Unit has unveiled a cutting-edge PET-MRI scanner that simultaneously performs PET imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This dual-functionality is particularly advantageous for pediatric patients who require sedation during the procedure. Moreover, the new technology reduces the amount of radiation exposure patients receive.

With many mental health and social services on summer hiatus, the demand for help continues even during the holiday season. The disruptions in services have resulted in a growing backlog at the MIELI ry Crisis Helpline, which received a record-breaking number of over 70,450 calls during the summer.

Surpassing the previous summer record of over 66,000 call attempts in 2022, this year's figures indicate a significant surge.