Ilkka Heinonen appointed Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Oulu to strengthen disease prevention and population health

The professorship is based in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oulu and aims to strengthen research focused on delaying the onset of disease or preventing it altogether. The initiative responds to growing concerns about the increasing prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders among the working-age population.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity created by this donation and excited to take on this important and highly interesting role at the University of Oulu. There is much work to be done at many levels, from children and young people to specialised healthcare services, but through strong collaboration I hope we can develop lasting and sustainable solutions that improve the health and functional capacity of people in Finland,” says Heinonen.

Ilkka Heinonen is a leading Finnish researcher in exercise science and exercise physiology. He has spent much of his career at the University of Turku and the Turku PET Centre, and has also worked abroad for a total of five years in the Netherlands, Australia and Sweden.

His research focuses particularly on the health effects of physical activity and physical inactivity, metabolism, cardiovascular health and cancer. He has examined the impact of sedentary behaviour and prolonged sitting on health, as well as the acute and long-term effects of exercise on the body’s regulatory systems and different tissues. His work also addresses the risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and explores how physical activity, alongside other interventions, can help prevent the development and progression of chronic diseases.

“Ilkka Heinonen has a strong research background in the links between physical activity and health, as well as internationally recognised expertise in the study of risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. His appointment strengthens our research in preventive medicine and supports our strategic goal of shifting the focus from treating diseases to preventing them,” says Jukka Hakkola, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oulu.

The research carried out within the professorship will focus particularly on the key risk factors underlying chronic non-communicable diseases, including lifestyle-related and metabolic factors. A central objective is to increase the number of healthy and active years of life across the population.

The professorship will also strengthen collaboration between the University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, the Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia (Pohde) and other key national institutions.

“It is excellent to see a Professor of Preventive Medicine begin this important work for the wellbeing of Northern Finland. By investing in prevention, we can not only increase the number of healthy years people live but also reduce healthcare costs and, for example, sickness absence caused by disease,” says Veli Rajakangas, CEO of LocalTapiola North.

Heinonen will take up his new position on 1 August 2026.