THL’s history

In February 2008, Paula Risikko, Minister of Health and Social Services, put forward a proposal to the Ministerial Working Group on Social Policy on the merger of the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) and the National Public Health Institute (KTL) to form a new research centre for welfare and health.

The Act on the National Institute for Health and Welfare was adopted on 30 October 2008 and the new organisational structure was established in early December 2008. THL was formed on 1 January 2009, with the merger of the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES).