Improving health through upstream social interventions

Research, education, and policy change

Get Involved Research

The 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 Are

What 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

Integrating Health and Social Care

Interventions addressing social needs of individuals in healthcare settings.

Population Health Management

Interventions addressing social needs at community and policy levels.

Data to Enable a Learning Health System

Leveraging data and technology to improve the health systems.

Scientists

Our scientists lead research initiatives that tackle social determinants of health at multiple levels. Driven by our shared mission to advance health equity, we incubate novel interventions by integrating health and social care, population health management, leveraging data to enable proactive care, and conducting trials.

Featured Projects

Our Funders

Our Collaborators

Community Members

Our lab works with many incredible and diverse individuals who provide valuable insights on our projects. Get to know some of our community advisory members.

Upstream Lab Follow

Founded by Dr. @AndrewDPinto and based at @MAP_Health, we evaluate interventions that tackle social factors that impact health #SDOH #SDH #Upstream

upstreamlab
upstreamlab Upstream Lab @upstreamlab ·
24 Oct

Janeth Tenorio-Mucha from @cronicasperu presents the ANITA project that addresses challenges and constraints of social protection policies for women domestic workers in Peru #ANITAxEMPOWER2024

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upstreamlab Upstream Lab @upstreamlab ·
24 Oct

This #ANITAxEMPOWER2024 research dissemination event aims to share findings from the ANITA and EMPOWER studies to look at social protection policies and access to healthcare for precarious workers in Canada and Peru

Learn more http://upstreamlab.org/project/anita/

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upstreamlab Upstream Lab @upstreamlab ·
24 Oct

We’re excited to welcome speakers and guests to Advancing Equitable Pathways: Empowering Precarious Workers through Enhanced Social Protection and Healthcare Access in Canada and Peru! Follow #ANITAxEMPOWER2024 for live updates during each session

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