
Presentation
I am a medical director at Kela’s Research Unit. I have previously worked as a medical director at the Central Medical Advisory Centre in 2016–2020. In addition to healthcare and occupational healthcare, my area of expertise includes insurance medicine and healthcare information technology. The topic of my MBA thesis in healthcare and social welfare was process management in the context of Kela benefits related to work ability and functioning. My previous research topics have been related to the epidemiology of national diseases, assessment of need for treatment, and disease prevention. At Kela’s Research Unit, I participate in register-based studies on health benefits.
Expertise
- occupational healthcare
- epidemiology
- public health
- insurance medicine
- healthcare
- lean management
Ongoing research projects
- Occupational Health Care as Part of the Health and Social Services System: Network Project on Integration and Cost Perspectives
- The National Health Index
- Treatment of Individuals Applying for Disability Pension Due to Depression
Previous research projects
- Differences and Trends in Sickness Absences by Population Group
- Underuse of Health-Based Benefits: A Case Study
Publications
Kela’s research blog posts:
- Palanne A, Teittinen A, Luoto R. Etuuksien alikäyttö on osa sosiaaliturvan kohdentumisen ongelmaa – esimerkkinä sairauspäiväraha 24.1.2023
- Palanne A, Teittinen A, Luoto R. Sosiaaliturvan väärinkäyttö: mitä siitä ajattelevat erilaiset yhteiskunnat ja ihmiset? Asenteet yhteydessä sosioekonomiseen asemaan 14.11.2022
- Palanne A, Teittinen A, Luoto R. Miksi ihmiset väärinkäyttävät sosiaaliturvaa? Taustalla oma taloudellinen tilanne, epäluottamus, vähäinen paljastumisriski ja monta muuta tekijää 3.11.2022
- Luoto R, Koponen P, Koskinen S. Sote-uudistuksen tiedolla johtamisessa piilee sudenkuoppia, jotka on tärkeää tunnistaa 22.2.2022
- Palanne A, Luoto R, Välimäki T, Vanne P. Moniammatillinen palvelu on auttanut nuoria eteenpäin 6.9.2021
- Luoto R. 10.5.2021 Vuorovaikutustaitojen merkitys korostuu etäjohtamisessa – johtamista teknologiasta huolimatta - Tutkimusblogi (kela.fi)
Selected previous publications:
- Luoto R. Työ- ja toimintakykyetuuksien prosessijohtaminen- LEAN- näkökulma. Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon MBA- työ. Tampereen yliopisto/Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto 2/2017.
- Husu P, Tokola K, Suni J, Luoto R, Sievänen H, Mäki-Opas T, Vasankari T, Kaikkonen R. Suomalaisten aikuisten terveyspalveluiden käyttö ja tyytyväisyys niihin Suomessa 2013- ATH- tutkimuksen tuloksia. THL/ tutkimuksesta tiiviisti 10/2014
- Luoto R. Kyselytutkimuksen suunnittelu. Duodecim 2009;125:1647-53. kyselytutkimuksen_suunnittelu_2009.pdf (tuni.fi)
- Luoto, R., Laine, M., Martelin, T., Roine, R., Koskinen, S., & Aromaa, A. Terveyden ja hoidontarpeen tulevaisuudennäkymät. In A. Aromaa, J. Huttunen, S. Koskinen, & J. Teperi (Eds.), Suomalaisten terveys (1 ed., pp. 433-442, 2005.)
- Luoto R, Laine M, Alha P, Koskinen S, Martelin T, Reunanen A, Virtala E, Aromaa A. Terveys ja hoidontarve alueittain Suomessa. UHOTA- projektin loppuraportti. Kansanterveyslaitoksen julkaisuja B2/ 2000
- Luoto R, Helakorpi S, Uutela A. Lama ja terveys. Aikuisväestön terveyskäyttäytyminen- tutkimuksen 7-vuotisseurantatutkimus. KTL julkaisuja B10/1999
List of publications Riitta Luoto (Riitta M Luoto) 1992-2022 (pdf)
List of publications Riitta Luoto, Finnish reports and book chapters since 1999 (pdf)
Publications and research projects
Major differences between wellbeing services counties especially in alcohol-related diseases and access to vocational rehabilitation
In morbidity, the latest results of the National Health Index reveal the most significant regional differences in alcohol-related diseases, and in incapacity for work, the differences are greatest in access to vocational rehabilitation.
Solutions for Building a Sustainable Society: Population Health and Wellbeing Report 2025
The report examines the state, development and future of Finnish wellbeing and health, as well as related questions in health and social services, social security and crisis resilience.
The Impact of Chronic Conditions on Productivity-Adjusted Life-Years in Both the Workplace and Household Settings in the General Adult Population in Finland
The burden of 8 noncommunicable conditions on productivity-adjusted life-years (PALYs) at work and within the household among the Finnish general adult population.
Continuity of care in private medical and dental services
The continuity of patient-doctor relationships in private medical and dental services is investigated using Kela's medical care reimbursement register.
Medication and Rehabilitation of Persons Applying for Disability Pension Due to Depression: A Register-Based Retrospective Study From Finland
How drug therapies and rehabilitation options have been utilised before applying for a disability pension due to depression.
Occupational Health Care as Part of the Health and Social Services System: Network Project on Integration and Cost Perspectives
More information on the effectiveness of occupational health care would be needed both from Kela’s point of view and to support the knowledge management of the wellbeing services counties.
Methylation Status of VTRNA2-1/nc886 Is Stable Across Populations, Monozygotic Twin Pairs and in Majority of Tissues
The methylation level of a polymorphically imprinted gene, VTRNA2-1/nc886, in human populations and somatic tissues.
Health, Work Ability, and Functioning of Kela’s Customers
THL's study on population examines the health, work ability, and functioning of Kela’s health insurance benefit recipients.
Assessing and Forecasting Morbidity in Adult Population Using the National Health Index
The project is used to assess the population's health status, work ability, and need for care regionally and nationally.
Differences and Trends in Sickness Absences by Population Group
The project investigates the differences and trends in sickness absences by population group between 2010 and 2022.