WP 3. Inequalities in health and well-being

Työpaketti 3: Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin eriarvoisuus

Suomalaisten terveys, toimintakyky ja hyvinvointi ovat kohentuneet 1970-luvulta asti. Kuitenkin väestöryhmien väliset terveyserot ovat Suomessa kansainvälisesti vertaillen suuret, ja ne ovat jatkuvasti kasvaneet. Erot näkyvät erityisesti elinajanodotteessa.

Toisaalta koettu hyvinvointi on parantunut, ja suomalaisten luottamus toisiinsa ja yhteiskunnallisiin instituutioihin on vahvaa.

TITA tutkii terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin eriarvoisuutta ja pyrkii selittämään, miten taloudellinen eriarvoisuus heijastuu eri väestöryhmien terveyteen ja hyvinvointiin. Hanke tarkastelee eriarvoisuuden seurauksia materiaalisen puutteen, kasautuvan huono-osaisuuden, syrjäytymisen, terveydentilan, rikollisuuden, subjektiivisen hyvinvoinnin puutteen ja luottamuksen näkökulmista.

WP 3. Inequalities in health and well-being

In Finland, health and well-being have constantly improved since the 1970s. Still, differences between population groups remain remarkable.

TITA explores whether the development of financial inequality during the past decades has affected the individual social outcomes, such as material deprivation, cumulative disadvantage, social cohesion, health, crime, subjective well-being, and happiness.

Scientific coordinator: Jenni Blomgren, Social Insurance Institution of Finland

3.1. Trends in inequalities in health and well-being

Team explores whether the development of financial inequality during the past decades has had effects on the social outcomes of the individual such as material deprivation, cumulative disadvantage, social cohesion, health, crime, subjective well-being, and happiness. It compares population level subjective well-being with the well-being of clients of food banks. It analyses unemployment and downward occupational mobility as a risk factor for mortality among middle-age and early old-age Finnish men and women. In addition it will examine regional differences in health and mortality.

Team leader:

Johanna Kallio, University of Turku

Members:

Sunnee Billingsley, Stockholm University
Sven Drefahl, Stockholm University
Sol Juárez, Stockholm University
Sakari Kainulainen, DIAK Polytechnic
Antti Kouvo, University of Eastern Finland
Pietari Kujala, University of Turku
Tuomo Laihiala, University of Eastern Finland
Maria Ohisalo, University of Eastern Finland
Ben Wilson, Stockholm University

External research partners and teams:

Gunnar Andersson, Stockholm University
Maria Bäck, Åbo Akademi
Christian Albrekt Larsen, Aalborg University
Elizabeth Thomson, Stockholm University

3.2. Improving validity of poverty measurement for decision-making

Team improves the validity of poverty measurement for decision-making by updating and extending the existing reference budgets for a decent minimum standard of living.

Team leader:

Pasi Moisio, National Institute for Health and Welfare

Members:

Kristiina Aalto, University of Helsinki
Anna-Riitta Lehtinen, University of Helsinki
Lauri Mäkinen, University of Turku

External research partners and teams:

Elling Borgeraas, The National Institute for Consumer Research
Bérénice Storms, University of Antwerp

3.3. Socio-economic differences in use of work-disability benefits

Team analyses socio-economic differences in the use of work disability benefits. How do the routes to disability pension differ among socio-economic groups? Do the screening points in sickness allowance and disability pension systems work equally effectively in different socio-economic groups? Does the benefit system help decrease socio-economic differences in work ability or does it aggravate them?

Team leader:

Jenni Blomgren, Social Insurance Institution of Finland

Members:

Riku Perhoniemi, Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Laura Salonen, University of Turku

External research partners and teams:

Mikko Laaksonen, Finnish Centre for Pensions

3.4. Health, inequality and medicine reimbursements

Team examines equality in prescribing and medicine reimbursements. It studies the effects of the annual co-payment threshold effective January 2016 on different patient groups and in socio-demographic population subgroups. In addition, it analyses physician- and patient-level factors affecting prescribing of medicines and the consequences of economic shocks in terms of the local use of medicines as a cure.

Team leader:

Jaana Martikainen, Social Insurance Institution of Finland

Members:

Katri Aaltonen, Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Timo Maljanen, Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Leena Saastamoinen, Social Insurance Institution of Finland

External research partners and teams:

Center for Welfare State Research, University of Southern Denmark