15 years of biodiversity hypothesis research
Register by 5 May 2025
You are warmly welcome to celebrate the first fifteen years of research on the biodiversity hypothesis! We will host a nature and health seminar at Oodi in central Helsinki and online on 12 May 2026 from 9:00 to 16:00. Please register by 5 May 2026.
The biodiversity hypothesis proposes that diverse natural environments and rich microbial exposure strengthen the human immune system and thereby protect against disease. The scientific formulation of the hypothesis was first presented in 2011, and it has since broadened and complemented the earlier hygiene hypothesis, which suggested that the rise in allergies could be explained mainly by increased hygiene.
The morning session of the seminar will be held in English and will cover scientific developments related to the biodiversity hypothesis over the past 15 years, featuring both international and Finnish keynote speakers.
The afternoon session will be held in Finnish and will showcase recent work by Finnish scientists, along with practical examples of how the biodiversity hypothesis is being applied.
The seminar is organised with the support of the Kone Foundation.
Programme and speakers
Morning session 8.30-12.00 (in English) |
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| 08:30 | Morning coffee |
| 09:00 | Welcome words Principal researcher Jenni Lehtimäki, Finnish Environment institute (chair) |
| 09:15 | Keynote: What is biodiversity and why is it important to us? Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi, University of Turku |
| 09:45 | Keynote: Non-communicable diseases and biodiversity – the African perspective Professor Harald Renz, Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Philipps University Marburg and University Hospital |
| 10:30 |
Video message: The biodiversity in traditional farms Professor Erika von Mutius, Helmholtz Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:00 | Keynote: Natural Step to Health Professor emeritus Tari Haahtela, inventor of biodiversity hypothesis, Skin and allergy hospital, University of Helsinki central hospital |
| 11:30 | Where and how do biodiversity and human health meet? Audience and chair discuss with professors Sääksjärvi, Renz and Haahtela |
| 12:00 | Lunch at own cost |
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| 13:00 | Keynote: Vuosikymmen villiinnyttämistutkimusta: terveys takaisin arkeen Erikoistutkija Marja Roslund, Luonnonvarakeskus ja dosentti Aki Sinkkonen |
| 13:30 | Lasten terveys kaupungistuvassa ympäristössä: Vihreä lapsuus – hankkeen löydökset Johtava tutkija Jenni Lehtimäki, Suomen ympäristökeskus |
| 13:45 | Kansallinen Terveyttä luonnosta -ohjelma Erikoistutkija Anniina Salmela, Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos |
| 14:00 | Metsän monimuotoisuuden vaikutus ihmisen psykologiseen hyvinvointiin Tutkija Jenni Simkin, Luonnonvarakeskus |
| 14:15 | Kahvi / Coffee |
| 14:30 | Maapallo potilaana Kari Raivio, emeritus lastenlääkäri ja Helsingin yliopiston kansleri |
| 14:45 | Paneelikeskustelu: Biodiversiteetti arjen terveyden edistäjänä Keskustelijat: lääkäri Hanna Haveri, professori Liisa Tyrväinen, emeritusprofessori Tari Haahtela ja toimitusjohtaja Emma Kari. Puheenjohtaja: erityisasiantuntija Riku Lumiaro. |
| 15:20 | Loppusanat Johtava asiantuntija Marja Järvenpää, Sitra |
| 15:30 | Tilaisuuden päätös / End of the event |
