The first myocardial infarction made Paavo Nurmio understand just how prevalent cardiovascular diseases were in Finland. As early as the following year, 11.3.1968 to be exact, Nurmi established a foundation to promote public health research. In addition to Nurmi, Professors Pentti I. Halonen and Lauri Kalaja, Bank Director Arne Hovitie and Vice-Judge Pekka Kare, who were present at the founding meeting, were elected as members of the Foundation’s Board.
The Paavo Nurmi Foundation was the first organization in Finland to offer promising and distinguished researchers the opportunity to focus on research free from the requirements of regular work. On this page you will find some of the researchers who have received a grant from the Foundation and have gone on to achieve success in the field. The basis for better health care is created by supporting research into cardiovascular disease.