Helsingin Sanomat follows up on recent news of regional variations in the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children.
At the end of January, it was widely reported that North Karelia was issuing ADHD diagnoses more frequently than other parts of Finland—especially among boys.
Twenty percent of 7 to 12 year-old boys in the region have been diagnosed as having the executive function disorder, according to the paper.
Some North Karelian parents told HS that they were pressured to start their kids on ADHD medication at a young age, already at the age of five.
Terhi Aalto-Setälä, a mental health specialist at public health authority THL, told HS that starting preschoolers on ADHD drugs — or even diagnosing the neurodevelopmental disorder for kids this young — was exceptional.
"We know that boys born at the end of the year are more likely to receive ADHD diagnoses, as children are often compared to their peers in the same grade."
Signs of spring
It's norovirus time, according to Iltalehti, which reports that the stomach flu is expected to peak between February and March. This year's outbreak is likely to be moderate, unlike the one in 2022, when the authority recorded 900 cases in January, which is triple current levels.
"Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg, however, as the majority of people manage the illness at home and only [cases requiring] hospital visits are recorded in the infectious disease registry," THL researcher Haider Al-Hello explained to IS.
"It's really small and compact and durable to the point that it's not easily destroyed," Leena Maunula of Helsinki University told the paper.
Highly contagious, the virus is known to survive on lightswitches and door knobs— potentially infecting people for up to 12 days. Making matters worse, the virus also spreads through aerosols.
Cleaning up after the virus requires bleach, diligent hand washing with soap and water and running the washing machine on hot, which means at least 60C.
Staying upright
Once associated with elderly pedestrians, anti-slip guards have become this winter's must-have accessory, according to Hufvudstadsbladet. The rubber strap-on shoe cleats can give any pair of boots or sneakers extra traction, especially as most sidewalks seem to be continually covered in ice.
Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson said sales of the ice cleats shot up 500 percent last week over the same period last year, leading many of their outlets to run out.
A 2022 report from the Ministry of Transport and Communications found that 70 percent of 67-93 year-olds were the most likely to strap protective gear on their shoes in the wintertime. This enthusiasm dwindles with age, dropping to one in five among 17-32 year-olds.
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