Improving health through upstream social interventions

Research, education, and policy change

Get Involved Impact

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.

Our Collaborators

Community Members

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

At the @UpstreamLab based at @MAP_Health, @UnityHealthTO, our work is focused on three interrelated areas: #SDOH, data science, and clinical trials. We are looking for a Permanent Full-time Research Program Manager to join our team! Apply by April 2➡️ https://recruiting.unityhealth.to/ltmprod/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1YS

#SocialPrescribing produces positive outcomes for patients and provides a way to address #SDOH in primary care settings, according to a study by Sara Bhatti, @RaynerJen, @AndrewDPinto, @KateMMulligan and Donald Cole. #SocialPrescribingDay https://upstreamlab.org/publication/using-self-determination-theory-to-understand-the-social-prescribing-process-a-qualitative-study/

✅ We are #hiring a Research Assistant to help with the SPARK study as a Community Health Worker.

📍 Site: Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre, Bell Island, NL

💡 Learn about the SPARK study: https://upstreamlab.org/project/spark/

➡️ Apply by March 22: https://recruiting.unityhealth.to/ltmprod/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1VR

✅ We are #hiring a Research Assistant to help with the SPARK study as a Community Health Worker.

📍 Site: Platinum Medical Clinic, Scarborough, ON

💡 Learn about the SPARK study: https://upstreamlab.org/project/spark/

➡️ Apply by March 22: https://recruiting.unityhealth.to/ltmprod/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1VP

Load More...