Kulttuurihyvinvoinnin poliittinen ohjaus ja toimenpiteet hyvinvointialueiden lakisääteisissä hyvinvointisuunnitelmissa

Since 2023, Finland’s wellbeing services counties
model has aimed to shift health and social care toward
preventive and primary services. Wellbeing is now
framed holistically, encompassing human rights, health
equity, sustainability, and cultural wellbeing. Evidence
shows that cultural participation and art therapies
improve treatment outcomes, support mental health,
reduce loneliness, and alleviate physical symptoms
across all population groups. This study analyzed
the wellbeing plans of all wellbeing services counties
and the City of Helsinki (N=22) to form a national
overview of priorities and culture-related actions.
The analysis also considered the targeting of cultural
actions to different population groups, implementation
responsibilities, and monitoring indicators. A total of
114 priorities were identified and categorized into six
overarching domains. Within this framework, 146
culture and art related actions were analyzed. 80% of
wellbeing services counties integrated cultural wellbeing
into health promotion work and defined related actions.
The status and governance of cultural wellbeing varied
across counties. Actions primarily focused on service
guidance, lowering participation thresholds, and
strengthening competencies, rather than producing or
improving access to cultural wellbeing services.
Findings indicate substantial regional variation in the
range, targeting, and monitoring of cultural actions.
Lack of targeting and uneven distribution may create
ambiguity in implementation and risk excluding socially
disadvantaged populations or those requiring support,
potentially reinforcing inequalities. Implementation
responsibilities relied heavily on collaboration with
municipalities and NGOs, highlighting intersectoral
strategic planning and collaboration between wellbeing
services counties, municipalities, and the cultural
sector as a critical success factor for integrating cultural
wellbeing into health and wellbeing promotion in
Finland.