The Health 2000 and 2011 surveys involved collecting data on the health, functional capacity and welfare of Finns as well as on related determining factors, service needs and use, and the differences in health and welfare between different population groups and the reasons for these. 10,000 Finns over 18 years of age selected with random sampling from the population register participated in the surveys. Research data was collected with interviews, health examinations and questionnaires. 

The surveys collected data about the same persons in 2000 and 2011. As a result, unique follow-up data at the level of individuals is available, allowing exploring the factors that predict changes in health, functioning and welfare. In addition, comparative data on many of the phenomena charted in the Health 2000 and Health 2011 surveys is available from the Mini Finland Health Survey carried out between 1978 and 1980. This allows the versatile description of the health and functioning of the adult population and related determining factors over a period that already spans 30 years.