The 40th anniversary seminar of the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) brought together leading experts and researchers who reflected on KIHD’s achievements and its impact on global health. The seminar was organised by the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition in Kuopio on 4 December, 2024.
The event highlighted the remarkable scientific contributions of KIHD, which has reshaped our understanding of cardiovascular health, chronic disease prevention, and lifestyle-related risks over the past four decades.
The KIHD Study, initiated in 1984, is an ongoing, prospective, population-based cohort study focusing on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases, and metabolic conditions. It has followed over 2,600 men and almost 1000 women from eastern Finland through extensive baseline examinations and multiple follow-ups spanning decades. This research has generated critical insights into the relationships between lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and physical activity, and a number of health outcomes.
The event was opened by Jussi Kauhanen, Professor of Public Health and KIHD’s Principal Investigator, with a reflection on four decades of scientific contributions and global collaborations that have shaped KIHD into a cornerstone of public health research. Vice Dean, Professor Markus Forsberg delivered greetings from the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasising the significance of KIHD’s work in advancing public health.
Professor Emeritus Jukka T. Salonen, the founding pioneer of the KIHD study, recounted the challenges and visionary goals that led to the establishment of this globally recognised research project.
One of the key early international collaborators, George Kaplan, currently Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, played a vital role in shaping KIHD’s early direction and impact. In his video greeting, he reflected on the transformative integration of behavioral, social, and psychological data with biological factors, which made KIHD truly unique. He highlighted the study’s groundbreaking contributions to understanding cardiovascular disease and social determinants of health, achieved through advanced technology and international collaboration.
John Lynch, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Adelaide, Australia, expressed gratitude for the KIHD Study, emphasising how it contributed to his career development and influenced his work in public health. His remarks underscored KIHD’s role in nurturing the careers of many international researchers and advancing the field of epidemiology worldwide.
Associate Professor Jyrki Virtanen presented on 40 years of nutritional epidemiology in Kuopio, detailing how KIHD’s precise dietary assessments have informed dietary guidelines and contributed to our understanding of the link between nutrition and chronic disease prevention.
Dr. Behnam Tajik, Postdoctoral Researcher, captivated the audience with his presentation, "KIHD Bridges", illustrating how the project has built research connections from Tehran to Kuopio to York.
Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen, Professor of Epidemiology and Senior Investigator of KIHD, highlighted how KIHD has become a model for modern epidemiological research. He also reflected on his early years as a junior researcher in the KIHD study.
The event concluded with Professor Jussi Kauhanen outlining the future vision of the KIHD Project, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and improving global health outcomes.
The scientific significance of KIHD has been impressive. Its meticulous methods, extensive dimensions of data gathered from the participants, and rigorous follow-ups on chronic disease outcomes, have set new standards in epidemiological research. The findings from KIHD have had an impact on public health policies, improved cardiovascular disease prevention strategies, and deepened our understanding of the relationship between lifestyle choices and long-term health.
The seminar also featured a digital poster presentation, showcasing examples of fresh research done by young doctoral trainees and postdocs of the KIHD.
After 40 years of the KIHD study, an official logo was finally introduced in the seminar.
The event was moderated by Dr. Laboni Akter, Project Coordinator, who also thanked all the speakers, attendees, and organisers for making this milestone celebration a success.
