Improving health through upstream social interventions

Research, education, and policy change

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

CanTreatCOVID

While public health measures and vaccines have reduced the spread of SARS-CoV-2, most…

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Machine Learning and Bias in Population Health Models

It is now well recognized that Machine Learning (ML) models can contain significant…

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SPARK

The SPARK study is a CIHR-funded national study that was birthed out of the lack of…

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EMPOWER: Evaluating PSW Work Conditions

Precarious work is a growing phenomenon in Canada’s health sector despite evidence…

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AFTERMATH (Approaches For ThE pRioritization of patients in pr...

High quality primary care is the cornerstone of strong health systems. The COVID-19…

AREA-RESP

COVID-19 has demonstrated the urgent need to detect and monitor emergent respiratory…

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.