Research projects

The objective of research conducted in Kela is to produce information for the development and implementation of social security. The main emphasis is placed on research supporting national development, in addition to which an important task is to acquire and distribute information about social security reforms carried out in other countries (see our research programme for more information).

Research conducted in Kela deals with income security schemes administered by Kela, Kela's own operations, healthcare provision and rehabilitation. Our key research projects are introduced here briefly by subject categories.
 

Benefits for families

Students

Labour markets and income security

Private medical and dental services

Medicines

Sickness benefits

Rehabilitation and ability to work

Disability benefits

Kela's services and operations and the implementation of social security

Social security system:

Health insurance system

Income security system

 

BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES

Families with children

This research project looks at mothers who have given birth in the 2000s and their families from different perspectives. The research data covers 60 percent of mothers who gave birth in 1999–2009. The factual content of the data comprises Kela benefits, benefit periods and background information gathered from the labour force survey conducted by Statistics Finland. The sample has approx. 33,000 mothers per annum.

By using registers of Kela and Statistics Finland, the mothers' spouses have also been found and the same background information is available on them as well. This representative sample is used in both cross-sectional and longitudinal research frames. Individual families with children may be followed up to 10–11 years.

The objectives of this research project are
1)    to produce information on the interconnectedness of family leave reforms and how family leaves are distributed between parents and on how family leave reforms affect mothers' and fathers' labour market positions,
2)    to produce more accurate information particularly on such families with children which have previously been studied only marginally or not at all due to small sample sizes, and
3)    to look at how companies' background features explain the use of family leaves and the allocation of paid leaves.

Reports expected in early 2013:
Aino-Maija Aalto: A look at the use of part-time care allowance in the 2000s.
Katja Pohjola: Children's private day care allowance.

Studies to be launched in the spring of 2013:
Aalto, Aino-Maija: Did the law change of 2005 narrow siblings' age gap?
Ahola, Elina: Income acquisition in families with small children.
Ahola, Elina: Child maintenance allowance and overdue maintenance in collection from the perspective of single parents in 2009–2011.
Airio, Ilpo: Single parenthood, divorce and risks for income in 21st century Finland.
Haataja, Anita and Juutilainen, Vesa-Pekka: Care paths of small children from home to school/How long does child home care last?
Haataja, Anita: Paid parental leaves – do employers have a role?
Hiilamo, Heikki and Ahola, Elina: A disabled child in the family.
Honkanen, Pertti: Employment, unemployment and income in families with small children in the 2000s.
Tervola, Jussi: Do fathers in immigrant families access family leaves?
Saarikallio-Torp, Miia: Family leave choices in multiple-birth families.
Valaste, Maria: Alternatives for child home care allowance and impacts on the demand of daycare services and the parents' labour market position.

Cooperation partners: Statistics Finland, Kela Actuarial and Statistical Department and Kela IT Department.

Additional information:
Anita Haataja, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1942 or +358 (0)50 583 8594, firstname.surname@kela.fi

 

STUDENTS

Evaluation of the student loan deduction reform

A tax deduction for student loans was introduced in 2005 in order to encourage students to take out student loans as a part of financing their education. The goal was to reduce term-time employment and, thus, to speed up graduation.

The study looks at the effect of the tax deduction on the take-up of student loans, academic progress and graduation times. A matter of particular interest is whether the tax deduction has had the expected impact on the duration of studies. Evaluating the effects of a law change is challenging when the business cycle changes rapidly. The effect of the business cycle is cleared with a careful before/after research frame.

Additional information:
Ulla Hämäläinen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1905, firstname.surname@kela.fi

 

LABOUR MARKETS AND INCOME SECURITY

Labour markets, social security and income distribution

This study analyses the effect that a transition from one labour market status to another is likely to have on personal incomes in different EU countries. Among other questions, the study looks at the income effects of retirement and examines the extent to which acquired pension rights are indexed to keep pace with general income growth. In addition, the study looks at such life events as unemployment, illness, childbirth and return to the labour market following unemployment or childbirth. The incentives built into the social security systems of different countries are another focus of the study. The study draws upon longitudinal data from the European Community Household Panel, which tracks subjects between 1994 and 2000. The data set will be complemented with EU-Silc data for the 2000s.

One article has been published in an international journal. Two articles and a book manuscript (commissioned by Policy Press) were completed in 2011.

Cooperation partners: Syd dansk universitet (Odense, Denmark) and Stockholms universitet (Sweden).

Additional information:
Olli Kangas, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1935, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Activity measures and basic income protection

A research project coordinated by the Government Institute for Economic Research monitors the effects of activity measures applied to the Finnish system of basic income protection. Kela's research department participates in those parts of the project which analyse the effects of activity measures directed at young people and the long-term unemployed. As regards young people, the long-term effects of the 1996 reform of the labour market subsidy on the individual's educational and working career are analysed. As regards the long-term unemployed, the effects of the reform of the labour market subsidy on finding employment are studied. The data used includes both existing register and interview data.

Cooperation partners: Government Institute for Economic Research, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Statistics Finland, Academy of Finland

Additional information:
Ulla Hämäläinen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1905, firstname.surname@kela.fi (young people) and Minna Ylikännö, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2803, firstname.surname@kela.fi (long-term unemployed)


Evaluation of the Paltamo full employment model

A full employment experiment currently underway in Paltamo, Finland aims to find employment for all job seekers through the combined efforts of the local employment office and a job search club. The unemployed job seekers participating in the experiment are not paid unemployment benefit, housing allowance or income support. Instead, they earn a wage while employed.

The evaluation of the Paltamo full employment model is a multi-centre, multidisciplinary project. A sub-study focusing on the economic impact of the experiment looks at both community and individual level effects. The study uses a matched study design. In the cross-municipality analysis, municipalities with the closest match to Paltamo will be given the greatest weight.

Cooperation partners: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Government Institute for Economic Research, University of Lapland and the Rehabilitation Foundation.

Additional information:
Ulla Hämäläinen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1905, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Gaps in basic security and the link between basic security and living allowance

A noticeable part of those receiving so-called reasons based benefits (e.g. labour market subsidy and sickness allowance) also receive housing allowance. Reasons for a permanent need to resort to social assistance are, among others, a 20 percent deductible in housing allowance and taxation of reasons based benefits.

This research project looks at the reasons of applying for living allowance. The research questions include: How big is the part of housing costs in the need for living allowance? How extensively do health care costs (physicians' fees, medicine expenses, dental care) cause need for living allowance? What role do sanctioned reductions and discontinuation of the labour market subsidy play? How does basic security affect day care choices?

This study makes use of the customer database of the Helsinki Department of Social Services and Health Care and Kela benefit registers. The data will be analysed and results reported in 2011–2013. The reports will be published in 2013.

Additional information:
Heikki Hiilamo, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1889, firstname.surname@kela.fi
 

Immigrants' use of social security

In this study, the immigrant population's use of social security is compared with the original population. The objective is to produce a general overview on the Kela administered benefits received by immigrants from the viewpoint of subsistence and participation in the workforce. The Kela administered benefits explored here are unemployment allowances, housing allowance, financial aid for students, and also family benefits and pension benefits as applicable. The study is based on a cross-sectional review of Kela administered benefits in early and late 2000's. The results will be published in 2014.

Additional information:
Jussi Tervola, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1874, firstname.surname@kela.fi

PRIVATE MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES

New models of operation in dental care

The project consists of three sub-studies. In the first one the results of partnership projects between private and public dental services will be evaluated. The study follows private sector patients' use of services and the types of procedures (and their costs) performed on them. Dental procedures and costs of patients in the partnership project are compared to procedures and visits of other patients using private services.

The second sub-study looks to evaluate the operations of different companies in the dental care market and how changes in the market affect procedures performed on patients, treatment practices and the frequency of use. In the third sub-study the effects of a voucher trial on the compensations for dental expenses and the service providers' pricing are evaluated by using Helsinki as a case example.

The data used in the sub-studies is the Kela register of compensations for medical expenses 2008–2015 and the data is analysed with applicable statistical methods.

Additional information:
Hennamari Mikkola, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1890, firstname.surname@kela.fi and Merja Komu, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1959, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Kela in the changing operational environment of health care service provision

The study focuses on five themes. First, the meaning of compensations for doctor's fees, medical examinations and care on the use of private and public health care services is examined. Secondly, the views of different health care experts regarding the role of health insurance in financing health care in the future are analysed. In addition to these we will find out how doctor's fees and the prices of examinations and care in the private sector vary between different service providers and different parts of the country. We also look at how the prices of private health care services differ from each other in Finland and Estonia. The fifth theme to be looked at is how competition in the health care service market has developed in 2004–2012.

The data used in the project consists of interviews of experts, the Kela register of compensations for medical expenses from 2004–2012 and Estonian data on prices.

Cooperation partner: University of Turku

Additional information:
Jukka-Pekka Halonen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2886, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Online access to health care service fee data

This project seeks to create a data repository within Kela's statistical database to collect data on fees charged for the services of private physicians and for laboratory tests and x-rays on a yearly basis. The database will contain price details about the most common types of visits to physicians and dentists (e.g. surgery, internal medicine), laboratory tests and medical procedures (e.g. the most frequent imaging and ultrasound examinations). The data is set to be open and to make price comparisons possible for citizens. The service was opened to users in April 2012.

Additional infomation:
Ulla Tuominen, tel. 020 634 1904, firstname.surname@kela.fi

The allocation of compensations for medical expenses in different income classes

Over the past decade more and more attention has been paid to the allocation of health care services in different income classes. Methods for analyzing background factors have been developed as well. In this research project the focus will be on compensations for medical expenses paid by Kela and, in the initial stage, on the allocation of physician visits based on sample data on income distribution in 1990–2010. The allocation of compensations will be described with the help of a concentration index. We will also attempt to analyze the effects of both external (e.g. income level and income inequality) as well as system-related (deductibles) factors on concentration and the increase in concentration. In addition, we will try to define the price elasticity of services in order to simulate the effects of different deductible options on the use, costs and allocation of services.

Additional Information:
Antero Ahonen, tel. 020 635 3276, firstname.surname@kela.fi


MEDICINES

Factors underlying the increase in the expenditures for prescription medications

The expenditures for prescription medications have increased continuously in Finland over the last few decades. The project analyses the factors behind this increase in selected drug categories between 1998 and 2005. The analysis is planned to encompass antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-infectives and non-steroidal anti-infective painkillers. The range of drugs may be expanded or changed as necessary.

The research data will be collected from the prescription register maintained by Kela and the register of medical specializations.

The study began in 2006. Articles will be published as the study proceeds.

Cooperation partner: Kela IT department.

Additional information:
Hanna Koskinen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1902, firstname.surname@kela.fi


The effects of pharmaceutical cost containment policies on the access to medicines in Finland and New Zealand

The objective of regulating the pharmaceutical market is generally to contain costs, especially public expenditure, without compromising equity in access to safe and cost-effective therapies. The aims of the study are to evaluate and compare cost containment policies and their effects on the access to medicines in Finland and New Zealand. The variables used to describe access are range of available medicines and out-of-pocket costs for medicines. The focus of the study is on older people.

The data used consist of registers and interview data, such as the pharmacies' sales registers, Kela's prescription database and Household Budget Survey data of Statistics Finland.

Additional information:
Katri Aaltonen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1941, firstname.surname@kela.fi


The connection of antimicrobial medication and the occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases

The study investigates the connection between the use of antimicrobial medicines and the occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in children by using a case-control method. The study is based on register data administered by Kela. The research will be conducted in 2010–2013.

Cooperation partners: Children's Hospital (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa), University of Turku (Biostatistics) and University of Tampere (School of Health Sciences)

Additional information:
Lauri Virta, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2858, firstname.surname@kela.fi


SICKNESS BENEFITS

Pre-surgery sickness allowances

The study looks at surgery-related sickness allowances paid by Kela. In this register-based study focuses on finding out, for instance, how many persons of working age received sickness allowance and what was the paid amount. Through register data it is possible to produce more accurate and nationwide information on paid sickness allowances. The source data are all those of working age who underwent non-urgent surgery in 2004–2009.

Cooperation partner: National Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Kela IT Department

Additional information:
Lauri Virta, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2858, firstname.surname@kela.fi


REHABILITATION AND ABILITY TO WORK

MS outpatient rehabilitation project – Kela evaluation

The aim of the multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation project for severely disabled MS rehabilitees, which started in 2010, is to develop the rehabilitation measures so that they are firmly linked to the rehabilitees' everyday life. The project services are provided by the Finnish MS Society (Suomen MS-liitto) in the Helsinki, Turku and Kuopio areas. The study evaluates the effects of the rehabilitation on the rehabilitee's everyday coping and participation. In addition, the functioning and quality of the out-patient rehabilitation is analyzed.

The final report of the study will be published in 2013.

Cooperation partners: Gerocenter, Finnish MS Society

Additional information:
Anna-Liisa Salminen, tel. + 358 (0)20 634 1303, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Evaluation of the project Meikäläistä metsästämässä

The Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired carries out the project Meikäläistä metsästämässä, in which the aim of the rehabilitation is a good, independent life for the young persons with visual impairment who participate in the project. The study evaluates how well the rehabilitation achieves its goals, i.e. whether the social skills and skills for an independent life of the young persons are strengthened and whether their participation in their own lives is increased. Information is also sought on how well the rehabilitation model is carried out, and on how a functioning regional network is built up and activated.

The rehabilitation started in the spring of 2011. The results of the study will be published in 2013.

Cooperation partners: Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (Näkövammaisten Keskusliitto).

Additional information:
Anna-Liisa Salminen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1303, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Evaluation of a development project aimed at promoting the transition from rehabilitation to work

The project aims at developing rehabilitation for the working age population to correspond to the changes in working life.  The study evaluates five alternative models for rehabilitation. Targets of development are, for instance, outpatient rehabilitation, developing the evaluation of need for rehabilitation, length and intervals of rehabilitation stretches, online learning and stronger commitment to the rehabilitation process from both occupational health care and the workplace. Covering about 500 rehabilitation clients, the evaluation uses both qualitative (development dialogues, multiple-consistency assessments and thematic interviews) and quantitative (various measures and registers) methods.

The project will be carried out between 2007 and 2013 and will produce 1–2 reports on specific themes and one final report.

Cooperation partners: Kela's Rehabilitation Section, the participating rehabilitation centres (Avire-Kuntoutus and the Rehabilitation Centres ODL, Petrea, Peurunka and Verve) and their partners.

Additional information:
Katariina Hinkka, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2810, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Second-phase evaluation of a development project aimed at promoting the transition from rehabilitation to work

This evaluation study focuses on a model of rehabilitation based on the results of earlier development work and knowledge on rehabilitation. The model is tested and developed by five rehabilitation service providers in 2012–2014. The rehabilitation model is described in a project plan laid out by the rehabilitation group of Kela's Health Department.

The aim of this study is to produce information which will help developing the contents and quality of rehabilitation to work in a direction better suited to the needs of employees and workplaces. Another objective is to evaluate the carrying out and functionality of rehabilitation as well as its effects and benefits. These subjects are looked at from the perspectives of the rehabilitee, the workplace, occupational health care and the rehabilitation service provider. The study is carried out by Kela in cooperation with the National Institute of Health and Wellbeing, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Rehabilitation Foundation.

The evaluation study follows the schedule of the development project, beginning in 2012 and ending in 2014. Results will be reported in the middle and the end of the project and an analysis of the commencement of the rehabilitation service in the early stages of the project. The interim and final reports will be published in Kela's publication series.

Additional information:
Riitta Seppänen-Järvelä, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1908, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Behavioural and mental disorders in children

The psychological well-being of children and adolescents is believed to have deteriorated in the current decade. The study examines this question on the basis of register data on the take-up of child disability allowances and the use of psychotropic medications in 2000–2007.

Two articles have been published in Finnish Medical Journal (Suomen Lääkärilehti), an article in the book Perhepiirissä and an article in the European Journal of Psychiatry. The register study will be repeated in the coming years as applicable.

Cooperation partners: The Kela Actuarial and Statistical Department and the University of Turku.

Additional information:
Ilona Autti-Rämö, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1910, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Evaluation study of a development project on outpatient mental health rehabilitation for adults

A development project on outpatient mental health rehabilitation of adults (AMI project) seeks to improve and secure the patient's ability to work and function, to alleviate mental health problems and to support the development of social interaction and life control. The success of the project is assessed in a separate evaluation study where, in addition to effectiveness, the functionality of networking and the dynamics of service chains are examined. The information produced in this study on the effectiveness of group rehabilitation may be applied in the acquisition process of Kela's established course activities.

A final report for the study will be published in the summer of 2014 after all data is collected in early 2014.

Cooperation partners: Rehabilitation group of Kela, National Institute for Health and Wellbeing

Additional information:
Annamari Tuulio-Henriksson, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1877, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Use of health and social security benefits among persons having applied for psychotherapy arranged by Kela

The aim of the study is to survey the situation in 2007–2010 of persons 16–35 years of age who have applied for mental health rehabilitation arranged by Kela and received a positive or negative decision. The study investigates the distribution of mental health rehabilitation within the age cohort, in different groups of diagnosis and by region. The study also surveys the reasons for positive or negative decisions on psychotherapy. A further aim is also to study factors at the individual level which predict the need for psychotherapy at age 16–35 and factors which cause young adults to have to retire on a disability pension at a young age.

The project covers the years 2012–2014 and findings will be published in Finnish and international publications.

Cooperation partners: Finnish Centre for Pensions (Eläketurvakeskus), National Institute for Health and Welfare and Statistics Finland.

Additional information:
Annamari Tuulio-Henriksson, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1877, firstname.surname@kela.fi


The period prior to disability pension

This joint study of the Finnish Center for Pensions (Eläketurvakeskus) and Kela looks into the factors which influence transferring to disability pension. In order to understand the process leading to disability pension and from the perspective of actions preventing disability it is also important to look at the different paths and mechanisms created by social security systems through which individuals end up on disability pension. The goal here is especially to find the phases in the process leading up to disability pension in which the direction of the process might be reversed and directed back to working life. The study will produce current, register-based information on the factors that affect regaining the ability to work and facilitate the employee's return to work after being on sick leave. Matters of interest in the study are state of health prior to the sick leave, unemployment and previous decisions for pension and rehabilitation. The data used is a large register data set, which contains information derived from different registers.

The project will run through 2012–2015.

Cooperation partners: Finnish Center for Pensions (Eläketurvakeskus)

Additional information:
Jenni Blomgren, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1893, etunimi.sukunimi@kela.fi


Register-based follow-up of rehabilitation services sponsored by Kela in 2007

The purpose of this project is to continue to follow up the provision of rehabilitation services sponsored by Kela. The project will seek to analyse the targeting of the services sponsored by Kela in 2007 throughout the 2004–2010 observation period and, by focusing on persons who underwent rehabilitation sponsored by Kela in 2007, describe their health and labour market position and highlight any changes in them over the three years following the rehabilitation (2008–2010).

A summary report and several individual reports will be published.

Additional information:
Tuula Toikka, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2845, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Implementation of nutritional rehabilitation by different rehabilitation providers

The key objective of this study is to discover how nutritional rehabilitation (nutrition counseling and meal provision) is implemented by the rehabilitation providers that arrange rehabilitation services financed by Kela. The information gained will aid in the development of the nutrition counseling provided as part of group rehabilitation interventions and in the drafting of standards guiding the counseling.

The study will be carried out during 2012 as an electronic Digium questionnaire. It will be reported in Kela's publication series. Several individual articles will be published as well.

Additional information:
Paula Hakala, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2829, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Long-term care of the elderly in Finland: effects of individual and regional factors

This study investigates the individual and regional risk factors involved in long-term institutional care of the elderly. As regards individual factors of the elderly, particularly the ability to function, socio-economic status, whether or not they live alone and physical conditions of living are of interest here. In regional factors attention is paid to the distribution and coverage of different serviced directed at seniors. Special emphasis is placed on looking at how different service structures are linked to the risk of being placed in institutional care, when individual background matters are taken into account. The extent to which regional differences in service structures reflect differences in need factors and whether this is due to, for instance, municipal preferences in providing care are also investigated.

The project will run through 2012–2014.

Cooperation partners: National Institute for Health and Wellbeing, University of Helsinki

Additional information:
Jenni Blomgren, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1893, firstname.surname@kela.fi


What affects the costs of care for the elderly?

The first part of the project studied the cost effectiveness of in-patient rehabilitation for frail elderly, see article in Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. The second part of the study investigates the factors associated with the utilization and costs of health and social services in frail elderly patients and whether differences in the use of services can be discerned by municipality when taking into account the individual's need for services. The third part of the study assesses the monetary value of informal help, factors related to this and its significance for the total care costs.

The study covers the years 2007–2013.

Cooperation partner: University of Tampere, School of Health Sciences.

Additional information:
Sari Kehusmaa, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2866, firstname.surname@kela.fi


A study on the functionality and the field of operation of the market of rehabilitation services arranged by Kela

This research project analyses the effects different ways of providing rehabilitation services have on the market. The study focuses on individual physiotherapy services for severely disabled persons, which Kela has arranged in two ways during the current contract period (2011–2014): by inviting bids and with vouchers.

In 2011, individual outpatient physiotherapy services were provided for 14,000 severely disabled persons and the costs of these services were approx. 50 million euros. Kela used 1250 businesses as service providers. About 1230 of these businesses provided services on the basis of bids and 120 provided services arranged with vouchers.

The purpose of the sub-study on services provided on the basis of bids is to find out how the choice made by the customer affects service quality, prices and the market. The sub-study on services arranged with vouchers, on the other hand, focuses on how the choice of the customer and the set price determined by Kela affect service quality, prices and the market.

This study is financed through funds of KKRL 12 § and runs through Nov 1, 2012–Oct 31, 2014.

Additional information:
Piia Pekola, tel. +358 (0)40 537 9592, firstname.surname@kela.fi


DISABILITY BENEFITS

Links between Kela benefits and rehabilitation services for the severely disabled

The aim of this project was to provide information to support the reform of the legislation on rehabilitation services for persons with severe disabilities. The objective was to investigate, as applicable, the rehabilitation guidelines and legislation used in EU member states and to explore current practices with the help of statistical data collected by Kela.

The findings of the project were published in Social Security and Health Research: Working Papers 79. Separate articles will also be published in Finnish journals.

Additional information:
Ilona Autti-Rämö, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1910, firstname.surname@kela.fi


KELA'S SERVICES AND OPERATIONS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Citizens' views on Kela, Kela's benefits and their implementation

The study surveys citizens' perceptions of Kela, Kela's benefits and their implementation. Kela's operations and the needs to develop them are assessed from the viewpoint of both Kela's public image and customer satisfaction. The study is a sequel to the citizen surveys conducted in 2000, 2002–2005 and 2008–2012, and therefore it is also possible to observe the change over time.

The data are collected through phone interviews. The number of interviews will total 1000. The persons interviewed represent the population that has reached the age of 15, excluding the Åland Islands.

Cooperation partner: TNS Gallup

Additional information:
Mikko Niemelä, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1907, firstname.surname@kela.fi


A questionnaire survey on benefits and benefit administration

The study explores the experiences and ideas for improvement that customers have about the implementation of Kela's benefit programmes. The data for the study is collected with questionnaires sent out to 3,000 persons who have received a benefit-related decision from Kela about a week earlier.

The study will also investigate customers' views about benefits administered by Kela, the existing customer services and new services they would like to see, and Kela's overall public image.

Additional information:
Markku Laatu, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1945, firstname.surname@kela.fi


The Kela Barometer

Introduced in 1996, the Kela Barometer is a yearly indicator of the quality of the service Kela provides and of staff well-being. The Barometer results are used in the improvement of operations and services.

Data: Staff and customer surveys carried out by the Research Department

Cooperation partner: The Kela Barometer Advisory Board

Additional information:
Mikko Kapanen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1976, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Experiences of the world of work of people of different ages

The study aims to analyze the experiences of the world of work of people of different ages. The people analyzed are persons working in the implementation of social security benefits in Kela's local administration. Kela's local offices around Finland are one of the most visible parts of the Finnish social security system at least at the street level.

Among other data, the study uses already existing data of the survey on wellbeing at work among Kela employees for the years 1997–2010. In addition, data are collected through a separate Internet survey and possible thematic interviews.

Additional information:
Mikko Kapanen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1976, firstname.surname@kela.fi


SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM:
 

Changing Salo 2013–2023

A sharp change in the economic structure has taken place in Salo within a short period of time after Nokia closed down a mobile phone factory in town. The study Changing Salo 2013–2023 looks at the effects such a large scale structural change has on the well-being of individuals and the region. As part of the study a survey is conducted to gather information about Salo residents' unemployment, livelihood, well-being and health. Additionally, the economic development of the region and the effectiveness of support measures targeted at Salo will be investigated and changes in the provision of public services in ten years (2013–2023) will be monitored.

The first results will be reported in autumn 2013. The study is a collaboration of the Kela Research Department and the University of Turku.

Additional information:
Sari Kehusmaa, tel. +358 (0)20 634 2866, firstname.surname@kela.fi and Minna Ylikännö, tel. +358 (0)2 333 8896, firstname.surname@utu.fi
 

HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM

Healthcare provision as a part of the social and health care system – a research and development project on health insurance

In this study evaluations will be made on the role of so-called multi-channel financing in health care, on whether there is a noticeable transfer of financial responsibility between municipalities and Kela's health insurance and on whether a municipality's economic situation matters in the possible transfer of financial responsibility. Additionally in this study the regional resources of occupational health care will be evaluated within the context of health care as a whole. The study makes use of statistics and registers of Kela's health insurance, Statistics Finland and the National Institute of Health and Wellbeing. The study will run through 2013.

Cooperation partner: University of Tampere, School of Management (Public Financial Management)

Additional information:
Timo Hujanen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1931, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Health of the Finns and health-related benefits: indicator monitoring

Diverse indicator data on the health of the Finnish population is needed for the monitoring of developments in public health and the use of health-related benefits granted by Kela and for the forecasting of future developments. The project gathers indicator data on the health of the Finns and their health-related behavior in comparison to other European countries as well as data on developments in the use and costs of health-related benefits granted by Kela. In 2011 the first report of the project was published, in which the reference period was mainly the years 1995–2010. In the future the project will produce reports that will be published at certain intervals and where the time series will be updated with more recent data.

Additional information:
Jenni Blomgren, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1893, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Compensations of medical fees in different income groups

The study looks into the differences between income groups in compensations of medical fees paid by Kela (medication reimbursements, compensations for private physicians' fees, compensations for private dentists' fees, compensations for examinations and treatment, refund of travel expenses, sickness allowances) in 2005–2011. It is particularly interesting to look at how big a part of the population in each income group receives compensations for different benefits in a given year, as well as to see on how many instances and in what amounts (in euros) benefits have been paid. The population is analysed separately by age and gender as well as by category of diagnosis. Also, confounding factors (e.g. age and morbidity), which relate to differences between income groups, are standardized.

The project will run through 2012–2014.

Additional information:
Jenni Blomgren, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1893, firstname.surname@kela.fi


INCOME SECURITY SYSTEM

Back to basics: consumption and basic income security

The study takes as its premise the link between consumption and basic income security. In modern societies, lifestyle choices and social participation are actualised through consumption. You are what you consume. The project examines what in Finland counts as a minimum income, and what expenditures and what types of consumption it should – and actually does – cover. How do public welfare services impact the lives and livelihoods of people relying on basic income security benefits? What strategies for coping do people have? The project runs from 2009 through 2013.

Cooperation partners: Academy of Finland; National Consumer Research Centre; University of Helsinki; National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Additional information:
Olli Kangas, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1935, firstname.surname@kela.fi


From exclusion to coping in Finland

The project surveys through qualitative data the coping strategies of Finns in difficult life situations. Exclusion has become a central focus of interest in both social policy and social sciences. The problem is that there may be countless reasons for exclusion, since social deprivation is anything but a consistent phenomenon. Instead of studying exclusion, a better, or at least alternative, research strategy might be to investigate coping, in other words, in how many different ways people in difficult situations can find a way out of their difficulties.

The data consists of two sets of qualitative follow-up data. One takes as starting point the applications for support in the Church's welfare work and the other the texts from a writing competition on poverty arranged in 2006.

The project started in the summer of 2011. The final report will be published in the autumn of 2013.

Cooperation partners: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Church Council.

Additional information:
Heikki Hiilamo, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1889, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Social consequences of recession

In this project, financed by the Academy of Finland, the long and short term effects of recession periods on income, illness and mortality are studied. In addition, the long term survival strategies of those in excessive debt are studied through qualitative data. The project was launched in September 2012 and will end in the spring of 2016.

Additional information:
Heikki Hiilamo, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1889, firstname.surname@kela.fi


GINI – Growing Inequalities Impacts

The project is coordinated by Amsterdam University and funded through the 7th framework programme of the EU for research. The project analyzes the developments in different social inequalities and their consequences in the OECD countries. The investigated issues are income distribution, poverty, wealth, health, education, differences between the sexes, consumption, politics, culture. Kela's research team – Jenni Blomgren, Anita Haataja, Heikki Hiilamo, Olli Kangas and Mikko Niemelä – together with the research team of Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet – Jennie Bacchus-Herzman and Johan Fritzell – survey the connections between inequality in income distribution, health and mortality in developed Western countries.

The data used is the income distribution data of the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS), which are combined with mortality and health data. In this sub-study a GINI Working Paper and an international article will be produced. In addition, the Finnish research team will during 2012 write a country report on Finland. The GINI project will terminate in spring 2013.

Cooperation partners: Amsterdam University, Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet.

Additional information:
Olli Kangas, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1935, firstname.surname@kela.fi


A different social policy

A different social policy is a research project which scans the future and strives to conceptualize and find models of thinking and practices that better suit the changed social and global situation as regards the arranging of social safety, care and the prerequisites for a good or, at the least, bearable life. The project's starting point is that social safety is a multifaceted phenomenon that is often built up regardless of the actions of established sociopolitical institutions. Existing models of thinking are challenged by looking for examples of alternative societal, social and ecological models of thinking and acting and practices e.g. by charting the thoughts and experiences of different groups of persons as well as of researchers and actors in different fields. The project consists of several articles and two edited books.

Additional information:
Tuula Helne, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1582, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Microsimulation

Microsimulation methods are used to simulate and analyse the effects of legislation on household transfers and taxes. Microsimulation is useful both in drafting legislation and as a tool of tax and social security research. For example, it allows the researcher to examine long-term trends in social security legislation and to test the impact of different hypothetical changes in legislation on household incomes.

The Research Department will participate in the design of a new simulation model, which will be maintained by Statistics Finland. The Department is already involved in the updating and maintenance of the JUTTA microsimulation model.

Cooperation partners: Statistics Finland, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, National Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Government Institute for Economic Research, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Library of Parliament's Information Service.

Additional information:
Pertti Honkanen, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1467, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Differences in household incomes and equivalence scales

Within the project, index figures used in comparisons of household welfare, i.e. equivalence scales, are calculated. The scales are used when assessing the significance of structural factors in households for economic welfare, poverty and income transfers. The results of the study can be used when assessing the effects of different social policy measures. The data used is the basic data of consumption and household panel surveys compiled by Statistics Finland for 1966-2006.


Additional information:
Robert Hagfors, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1950, firstname.surname@kela.fi


European views on poverty

The project (2011–2013) investigates attitudes towards and views on poverty in Europe on the basis of data from several international surveys that measure attitudes. The project is divided into four different studies which compare how citizen views on the consequences of poverty, causes of poverty and measures against poverty vary within Europe. The ways citizens in different European countries value the receipt of financial aid for different population groups are also analyzed.

The project's findings will be presented in Finnish and international scientific conferences and in Finnish and international scientific journals.

Cooperation partner: Social- och kommunalhögskolan, Helsingfors universitet

Additional information:
Mikko Niemelä, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1907, firstname.surname@kela.fi


Life cycle, transitions and wellbeing

The study analyzes how people's life cycle stages and life situations are connected to the wellbeing of individuals and households. Especially interesting are transitions from one life phase and one life situation to another and the mechanisms that explain the transitions. The study compares the situation in different countries. The study uses European data on living conditions – European Community Household Panel (ECHP) and European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions microdata (EU-Silc).

The project covers the years 2011–2013 and the aim is to publish a compilation on the subject in Kela's publication series.

Cooperation partners: University of Turku, University of Copenhagen, Stockholm University, University of Helsinki, Labour Institute for Economic Research, European University Institute.

Additional information:
Mikko Niemelä, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1907, firstname.surname@kela.fi


History of labour market transition assistance initiatives

This study looks at the evolution and implementation of legislative provisions dealing with employment relationships and unemployment security since the 1960s. The objective of the study is to analyse the effectiveness of the provisions, the legal protections they have offered, and the efficacy of the measures designed to provide economic security to employees during unemployment. The period under study is divided into several subperiods. The study will conclude with a summary of the historical development and the factors influencing it from the 1960s to the 2010s.

Additional information:
Yrjö Mattila, tel. +358 (0)20 634 1279, firstname.surname@kela.fi

Updated 05/29/13