What the study found
The study found that health monitoring systems and health system data in Finland acted as both enablers and gatekeepers to equity during COVID-19. The authors report that the response largely relied on a homogenous view of the population, based on the most commonly used data and indicators in national dashboards.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that data have a critical role in framing health issues, attracting public attention to certain responses, and making some population health issues visible or invisible. They argue that equity-centered data and health monitoring practices should be viewed as a critical health system capacity.
What the researchers tested
The article is a critical reflection that uses Finland's COVID-19 response as a case study. The authors first describe the country's health monitoring system before COVID-19, then examine how data were used during the pandemic, and finally discuss how data shaped responses, equity, and public perception.
What worked and what didn't
Disaggregated data, meaning data separated by different population groups, were eventually used for more tailored responses. However, the abstract says this happened only after short-term additional resources were allocated. The national response initially depended mainly on broad indicators that reflected a more uniform view of the population.
What to keep in mind
This is a critical reflection focused on one country, Finland, rather than a comparative study. The abstract does not describe quantitative measures, and the authors note their discussion is specific to implications for health system preparedness more generally.
Key points
- Health monitoring data in Finland during COVID-19 both supported and limited equity-focused responses.
- National dashboards mainly used broad indicators that reflected a homogenous view of the population.
- Disaggregated data were used later, after short-term extra resources were provided.
- The authors say data can make some health issues visible while leaving others invisible.
- The paper treats equity-centered monitoring as a critical health system capacity.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Finnish COVID-19 monitoring data shaped equity and visibility
- Authors:
- Laura Kihlström, Markku Satokangas, Natalia Skogberg, Marjaana Viita-aho, Mika Gissler, Ilmo Keskimäki, Eeva Nykänen, Liina‐Kaisa Tynkkynen
- Institutions:
- Finland University, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-11
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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