AGP Executive Report

Flu Vaccination Delays: Supply problems are pushing back vaccination programmes in Kymenlaakso, Satakunta and Ostrobothnia. Finland has received about one million of 1.8 million ordered doses; the rest are expected by year-end. THL says delays are affecting Europe and other regions after this year’s vaccine components changed and the WHO set its formula later than usual. Ovarian Cancer Research: Helsinki-based TILT Biotherapeutics reported preliminary Phase 1b results for its treatment combination at ESMO 2026. Four of nine evaluable patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer had confirmed partial responses, with two later reaching complete response. The early findings showed no unexpected safety concerns, but the study remains small.

Sleep and Seasonal Health: Finland joined the EU’s clock change on Sunday, gaining an hour but moving sunrise and sunset earlier. The shift can unsettle sleep, so keeping a steady bedtime may help. Environmental Health: Finland’s licensing authority ordered Google to pause work at two planned data-centre sites after forest was cleared before required environmental assessments. Residents reported brown water flowing from the Muhos site into a stream connected to the Oulujoki River.

Environment & Wellbeing: Finland’s licensing authority ordered Google to halt work at two planned data-centre sites after forests were cleared without required environmental assessments. About 250,000 trees were felled near Muhos, with residents reporting muddy water entering a stream linked to the Oulujoki River. Cancer Research: Finnish pharma company Orion reported trial results showing darolutamide added to hormone therapy and radiation cut the risk of metastasis or death by 58% in high-risk prostate cancer. The treatment is not yet approved for this use. Colorectal Cancer: A University of Leeds-led trial of icosapent ethyl in patients having surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastases missed its primary endpoint, progression-free survival, but found improved overall survival; researchers estimated a 32% lower risk of death at five years.

Cancer Research: Finland-based Orion says an interim Phase 3 trial found darolutamide, added to hormone therapy and radiation, cut the risk of metastasis or death by 58% in men with high-risk prostate cancer. Four-year metastasis-free survival was 95%, versus 88% with standard treatment alone; the medicine is not yet approved for this use. Food and Wellbeing: A European community-kitchen project involving Finland aims to connect local farmers with shared cooking spaces, while offering food, training and social support. Emergency Preparedness: Finland’s stockpiling of essentials, including vaccines, fuel and food, was highlighted as other European countries urge households to prepare for emergencies.

Cancer Research: Finnish pharma company Orion reported Phase 3 interim results showing darolutamide, added to hormone therapy and radiotherapy, cut the risk of metastasis or death by 58% in men with high-risk prostate cancer. Four-year metastasis-free survival was 95%, versus 88% with placebo; the drug is not approved for this treatment setting. Physical Activity: Finland and Mongolia signed an agreement to share expertise in education and sport, including policies and programmes to encourage physical activity. Food and Wellbeing: Finland is among eight countries in a European project developing community kitchens that link local farmers with shared cooking and eating spaces, while also offering training and social support. Everyday Fitness: Nordic walking, which Finnish teacher Leena Jääskeläinen helped popularise, is gaining attention as an accessible, low-impact way to exercise outdoors.

Cybersecurity and Care: Finland joined European governments taking websites offline over critical PHP flaws; healthcare sites were also disrupted in parts of Europe. Newborn Health: A Finnish study of 16,599 babies found that newborns whose borderline oxygen-screen result normalized on retest were more than five times as likely to need NICU care as those who passed immediately. Women’s Mental Health: A Finnish study linked earlier menopause with a higher risk of anxiety and depression.

Newborn Screening: A Finnish study of 16,599 babies found that newborns whose borderline oxygen screen cleared on retest were more than five times as likely to need NICU care as those who passed immediately. None had a critical heart defect, but breathing problems, infection and low blood sugar were more common. Stroke Prevention: Finnish researchers found newer blood thinners were associated with lower stroke and death risks among people with atrial fibrillation and a previous brain bleed. The observational study cannot prove the drugs caused the difference. Youth Health: University of Jyväskylä researchers linked higher BMI in adolescence to faster biological ageing, with analysis suggesting a possible causal link. Vaccination Access: A supply shortage has delayed influenza vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics.

Cybersecurity and Care: Finland’s government web services were temporarily taken offline as operators patched critical PHP flaws; similar precautionary shutdowns affected hospital websites abroad, highlighting potential disruption to online services. Youth Wellbeing: A Finnish survey found 78% of 11- to 17-year-olds use AI, often with little school guidance on its risks, prompting calls for stronger digital literacy and safer tools. Vaccination Access: A supply shortage has delayed influenza vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Multiple Sclerosis Research: A Phase 2 trial of an investigational treatment for progressive MS is underway in Finland, as a separate U.S. study has begun dosing its first participant. Women’s Mental Health: Finnish research links an earlier menopausal transition with higher anxiety and depression symptoms.

Digital Health: Finland temporarily shut down public web services after critical PHP flaws triggered global shutdowns. The vulnerabilities could let attackers take control of servers, raising concerns about access to online services, including health information. Environment & Health: Authorities ordered Google to halt work at two Finnish datacentre sites after forest clearance near Muhos. Residents say muddy runoff is entering a stream that feeds the Oulujoki River. Multiple Sclerosis: A Phase 2 trial of experimental drug SUN-627 is under way in Finland for progressive MS; the company has now dosed its first patient in a separate US trial. Vaccination: A flu-shot supply shortage is delaying vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Mental Health: A Finnish study linked an earlier menopause transition with higher anxiety and depression symptoms.

Infant Health: Finland’s nationwide nirsevimab programme was associated with fewer RSV detections and acute ear infections among infants under one, according to a register study of nearly 182,000 babies. Women’s Health: Finnish research links an earlier menopause transition with higher anxiety and depression symptoms. Vaccination Access: A flu vaccine shortage has delayed shots at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Emergency Care: Patients describe long overnight waits at Finland’s A&E wards.

Violence Prevention: Finland’s THL is proposing a national, statutory review system for domestic homicides. It would examine whether warning signs were missed and where services, information-sharing or cooperation fell short; 288 adults and children were killed in domestic homicides over the past decade. Vaccination: A supply shortage has delayed influenza vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Emergency Care: Patients describe waits of up to six hours overnight in Finnish A&E wards, highlighting pressure on urgent care. Women’s Health: A Finnish study links an earlier menopausal transition with higher levels of anxiety and depression, underscoring the mental-health effects that can accompany menopause.

Domestic Violence Prevention: Finland’s THL is proposing a statutory national review system for domestic homicides. It would examine whether warning signs were missed and where health, social and justice services failed to work together; 288 adults and children were killed in domestic homicides over the past decade. Access to Care: Reports from Finland point to long night-time waits at emergency departments, while a flu vaccine shortage delayed vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Digital Health: Helsinki is piloting an AI tool to help document work in health and social services. Women’s Health: A Finnish study linked an earlier menopausal transition with higher anxiety and depression symptoms.

Cost-of-living pressures: Helsinki food-aid services report more families with children seeking help as benefit cuts take effect, while donations dwindle and some distribution points close. Early-life immunity: University of Turku researchers found that neutrophils are active in several embryonic tissues and can perform immune functions seen in adults. Alzheimer’s research: A Finnish study found people later diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s had more health problems in the 15 years before diagnosis, pointing to possible early warning signs. Care access: A vaccine shortage has delayed flu shots at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics; patients have also described overnight waits of up to six hours in Finland’s emergency departments. Women’s health: A Finnish study links an earlier menopausal transition with more anxiety and depression symptoms. Digital care: Helsinki is piloting an AI tool to help document work in health and social services.

Alzheimer’s Research: A Finnish study found that people later diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s had higher rates of several health conditions in the preceding years, with healthcare visits rising sharply near diagnosis. Research in Finland: US scientist Halley Froehlich has moved to the University of Helsinki, citing grant delays and uncertainty, to study how climate change affects seafood species. Women’s Health: Finnish research links an earlier menopause transition with more anxiety and depression symptoms. Healthcare Access: Influenza vaccine shortages have delayed vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics, while patients have described waits of up to six hours at hospital emergency departments overnight. Health Services: Helsinki is piloting an AI tool to help document care in health and social services. Early Development: University of Turku researchers found that embryonic neutrophils can perform key immune functions, raising questions about their role in fetal development.

Youth Mental Health: A Finnish nationwide study found specialist psychiatric care did not decline among young people who received hormones or surgery after seeking gender care, and rose in some cases. It cannot show that treatment caused the change. Women’s Health: In a study of 2,632 Finnish women, reaching later perimenopause or menopause by age 46 was associated with more anxiety and depressive symptoms; the findings do not establish cause and effect. Vaccination: A supply shortage has delayed influenza shots at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics, disrupting seasonal vaccinations for families. Nutrition: A University of Oulu study linked higher coffee intake with lower body fat and more muscle among 2,264 Finns, but does not show coffee caused the differences. Cancer Care: Finnish research linked poor oral health with greater risk of jawbone necrosis in breast cancer patients, highlighting the importance of dental health during care. Health Services: Helsinki is piloting an AI tool to help document health and social care visits.

Coffee and Body Composition: A University of Oulu study of 2,264 Finns found that higher coffee consumption was associated with less body fat and more skeletal muscle, even among people with similar BMI. The findings show a link, not that coffee causes these differences. Youth Mental Health: A Finnish study found specialist psychiatric care remained common among young people referred to gender identity services and did not fall among those who received hormones or surgery. Researchers cautioned that the study cannot establish whether treatment caused changes in care needs. Menopause: Finnish research linked reaching later stages of the menopausal transition by age 46 with more anxiety and depressive symptoms, highlighting the need to monitor emotional health without assuming hormones are the direct cause. Health Services: A vaccine shortage has delayed influenza vaccinations at Helsinki maternity and child health clinics. Helsinki is also piloting an AI tool to help document care in health and social services. Hospital Waits: Patients have described waits of up to six hours at Finnish emergency departments overnight, raising concerns about access to urgent care.