After his war service 1942-1944 (second lieutenant) Elo studied medicine in Helsinki University, graduated Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Science and qualified Doctor of Medicine 1953 and became Doctor of Medicine 1960. He studied also at Cambridge University 1948 (stipend of British Council) and Necker Hospital in France 1966 (French state stipend) with which he developed a decades long partnership.
During the Winter War 1939-1940 Elo volunteered as orderly at the Civil Defence Staff. Elo researched the virulence and pathogenetic capacities of East.coli bacteria in 1950´s and human blood group antigens present in mushrooms. He qualified as surgeon 1961.
He specialized in pediatric urology as the first Doctor of Medicine in Finland, and has developed this branch essentially both in practice and by teaching, as even the general pediatric surgery in Finland in fact began systematically only in 1940s.
He taught it as the docent in Helsinki University 1983-1992, being the first teacher of pediatric urology in Finland. Elo has published 30 articles in Finnish and international medical publications.
From 1956 to 1988, Elo served as urological surgeon and deputy head of surgical section of Aurora Hospital, Helsinki, and had a private practice in Mehiläinen Hospital, Helsinki, from 1966 to 2002. He founded the journal Urologia Fennica 1986 and was the first Editor.
From 1986 to 1988, he was chairman of the Finnish Urological Association.
After retirement Elo has focused on the history of urology and museal preservation of medical instruments. The President of Finland appointed Jaakko Elo Professor The Human Context 2011.
Since year 2000 he is a member of the History Office of the European Association of Urology (EAU). Elo is honorary member of the Finnish and Scandinavian Urological Associations.
