Improving health through upstream social interventions
Research, education, and policy change
Get Involved ResearchThe Upstream Lab is a non-profit research lab based at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We are dedicated to improving health and well-being of the population through addressing issues related to social determinants of health.
Who We AreWhat are the social determinants of health?
According to WHO, social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that have an influence on our health, particularly the social and economic conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. Some examples include income and social status, job insecurity, food insecurity, and education. SDOH also includes the wider system that can foster health inequity, such as discriminative policies and social norms, and historical trauma.
Our Research Streams
Interventions addressing social needs of individuals in healthcare settings.
Interventions addressing social needs at community and policy levels.
Leveraging data and technology to improve the health systems.