Ambassador highlights Finnish baby box, saunas and outdoor life as pillars of public health and culture
March 13, 2026 | Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senate Committees, U.S. Senate, Legislative, Federal
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Ambassador Lena Kaissa Makela described several everyday practices she said contribute to Finns' health and social cohesion: a government baby box program for newborns, pervasive sauna culture and a strong relationship with the outdoors.
Makela explained the baby box contains clothing and supplies (summer and winter items) and reflects preventive, maternity-focused public-health policies. "It's our idea... it includes different kind of clothing for the baby," she said, adding that some countries have copied the practice.
On saunas, Makela said they play a social and mental-health role as well as a physical one: Finns use both private home saunas and public saunas, and many apartments have shared or built-in saunas. "Saunas are very good for our mental well-being," she said.
Makela also emphasized outdoor life'forests, lakes and winter sports'as central to Finnish recreation and resilience. She said these cultural features complement other social programs and public-health priorities.
Makela explained the baby box contains clothing and supplies (summer and winter items) and reflects preventive, maternity-focused public-health policies. "It's our idea... it includes different kind of clothing for the baby," she said, adding that some countries have copied the practice.
On saunas, Makela said they play a social and mental-health role as well as a physical one: Finns use both private home saunas and public saunas, and many apartments have shared or built-in saunas. "Saunas are very good for our mental well-being," she said.
Makela also emphasized outdoor life'forests, lakes and winter sports'as central to Finnish recreation and resilience. She said these cultural features complement other social programs and public-health priorities.
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