Tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. On World TB Day we highlight an ongoing study led by Finnish Lung Health Association (FILHA) in close collaboration with the NDPHS Expert Group on HIV, TB and Associated Infections. The study is a part of the the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services financed project with an aim to increase knowledge and data about the latent TB infection situation in our region, provide evidence-based policy advice, improve cooperation between the countries in Nordic-Baltic region as well as Ukraine, and contribute to the WHO End TB Strategy.

In the frame of the Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region project, we participated in a workshop with the Ministries of Culture, Health, and Welfare of the Republic of Latvia to assess the current state of intersectoral collaboration between the culture and health. The NDPHS Secretariat director Ülla-Karin Nurm highlighted the role of culture in enhancing people’s health and well-being because culture is more than just an art form.

After 1.5 years of in-depth research and collaboration aimed at identifying gaps and needs in occupational safety and health data and practices, the MentalHealthMatters (MHM) project is nearing its end. Recently, in the heart of a cold winter in Trondheim, all the partners came together to discuss the areas most in need of improvement and to finalize the digital mental health support toolkit set for launch this spring. With just a few months to go, the team is also preparing for the project's culmination event.

On February 6, NDPHS Secretariat hosted a Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network's event "NordAN Open Day". The event explored concerning policy shifts that could increase alcohol-related harm and identified ways to strengthen Nordic and Baltic cooperation in addressing these issues. Ülla-Karin Nurm, director of the NDPHS Secretariat, contributed to the discussions, reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation in public health and alcohol policy.

For decades, alcohol consumption has ranked as one of the leading risk factors for disease and premature mortality. Despite prevention and control efforts, Europe has the highest alcohol per capita consumption (APC) but one region stands out - the Nordic countries, including Finland, Norway, and Sweden - where APC is lower than anywhere else in the EU. Why? Governed by strict regulations to eliminate private profit motives, the Nordic alcohol retail monopolies prioritize health and well-being of their citizens. A recent WHO/Europe report highlights the monopolies as a model for reducing alcohol consumption and related harm.

Work is more than just a means to earn a living; it is a way to connect and to share knowledge and experiences. The continued participation of senior workers in working life is critical for both - economic sustainability and individual well-being. Projects "Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer" (SAFE) and "Silver Strategies" address challenges that prevent the full potential of senior workers from being realised. Fresh after the winter break the project partners met in Tallinn to explore thematic synergies.

Chronic illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular diseases have surpassed accidents as the leading causes of work-related fatalities in the Nordic countries. A recent report commissioned by the Nordic Future of Work and Occupational Safety and Health group underscore an urgent need for course correction of occupational safety and health research, policy and practice. The study offers valuable insights for the NDPHS region and calls for a paradigm shift to robust disease prevention strategies.