With a staff of more than 1,400, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is a research and development institute under the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. THL opened in January 2009 after the merger of the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (Stakes).  THL’s primary functions are to promote the health and welfare of the population, prevent diseases and social problems, and help develop social and health services in each municipality. The institute also acts as the national monitor for all health services throughout the country in terms of availability, quality, productivity, efficiency, and impact.

The institute —headquartered in Helsinki with satellite offices in Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Tampere, Turku, and Vaasa—is made up of divisions of welfare and health policies, welfare and health promotion, health protection, and health and social services.

THL also hosts IANPHI's Secretariat in Finland.

See:

• National Institute for Health and Welfare 
• Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
• National Public Health Institute 
• Development Centre for Welfare and Health