Dr Pekka Puska (proposed by Finland)

Professor Pekka Puska (M.D., Ph.D., M.Pol.Sc.) has served as the Director General of the National Public Health Institute (KTL) since late 2003.

Working under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, KTL provides public decision makers, other stakeholders and the general public with reliable information on health.

FCA

The institute's eleven departments cover all aspects of public health from safe drinking water and vaccinations to genetics and mental health. KTL is responsible for the control of infectious and for the prevention of chronic diseases in collaboration with the health care system. The institute has an important role in shaping Finnish public health work and health policies.

Professor Puska's career at KTL began already in 1978 with the position of Director for the Department of Epidemiology and Chronic Disease Prevention. During this time he led the internationally known North Karelia Project, a successful population-based prevention of non-communicable diseases. Prior to his present position he served as the Director for Non-communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Health Promotion at the WHO Headquarters in 2001-2003.

Professor Puska currently holds also the position of Vice President of the newly founded International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).

• Answers to the questions of the Lancet 29.9.2006 (PDF-document, 29KB)

• Pekka Puska - For a Strong and Competent
  World Health Organisation (WHO) -brochure
  A PDF brochure 400 KB, printable A3
  A PFD brochure 500 KB, printable A4
  

• Pekka Puska - Pour une Organisation Mondiale de la Sante puissante et competente

• Pekka Puska - Por una Organizacion Mundial de la Salud fuerte y competente