Occupational and environmental medicine.

Different exposures at the workplace (cold, marine raw materials, nanoparticles, vibrations), workplace inclusion, health-promoting measures at the workplace.

Air quality and health

The main research interests of professor Ikäheimo have focused on the effects of environmental temperature and climate change on human health. Her research involves identifying climate-sensitive population groups and understanding the mechanisms behind their vulnerabilities. This has involved conducting both population and laboratory studies. Currently, professor Ikäheimo is leading networks of Nordic occupational health experts that aim to understand the preparedness and needs of Arctic outdoor workplaces in the changing climate. She is also participating to an EU Horizon Health consortium (Trigger) which aims to understand the effects of climate change on cardiovascular and respiratory health and build means for adapting to the changing climate. Professor Ikäheimo has also had a long-term interest in research examining determinants of physical activity and health.

Specific ongoing research topics:

• Cardiovascular responses to short-term cold and heat exposure among person with type 2 diabetes and hypertension
• Preparedness and needs of Arctic outdoor workplaces in the changing climate
• Environmental temperatures, air pollution and hospitalizations related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
• Urban built and natural environments and respiratory infections
• Weather, measured physical activity and health

Chronic pain, epidemiology, biostatistics, community medicine, women’s health, pain sensitivity, physical activity, health-related quality of life, well-being, health services research, occupational health, workforce participation, work absenteeism, registry-based research, population-based surveys.

Chronic pain is among the leading causes of health and functional loss worldwide. It often occurs alongside other serious comorbidities such as mental health issues, cancer, neurological and orthopedic conditions, sleep disorders, fatigue, and more. Chronic pain can arise throughout the lifespan through complex causal mechanisms and is associated with a range of risk factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, age, work situation, cognitive function, pain sensitivity, and traumatic experiences. Nevertheless, the prevalence, causative factors, comorbid conditions, and societal consequences of chronic pain are not well understood.

My research focuses on uncovering patterns of chronic pain conditions in the population, how such conditions develop over time, how they affect and are affected by comorbid conditions, and what societal consequences they have for health, quality of life, and participation.