Pekka Puska

Pekka Puska (born 18 December 1945 in Vaasa) is a Finnish physician, docent and politician.

Puska held the position of Director General of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland in 2009–2013.

Puska is considered to have had a significant influence on Finnish public health research and practice for several decades.

He spearheaded the North Karelia Project (as Director and Principal Investigator) for preventing cardiovascular disease 1972–1977, during which time cardiovascular disease mortality amongst men fell by 80 per cent.

[3] He also currently holds the position of President of World Heart Federation (WHF) and that of Vice-President of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).