Moving Upstream: Advancing the science of structural determinants of health
Conference · November 20, 2026 · Toronto
Save the Date: November 20, 2026
Join us for Moving Upstream: Advancing the science of structural determinants of health
Conference hosted by Upstream Lab in collaboration with partners including
Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH)
November 20, 2026
8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 209 Victoria St., Toronto, Canada M5B 1X2
About the Conference
This conference, Moving Upstream: Advancing the science of structural determinants of health, comes at a critical moment as we seek to deepen our understanding of the structural determinants of health, identify key knowledge gaps, and chart a path forward for research, policy, and practice. The event will convene academics, research funders, policymakers, health system leaders, and trainees who are committed to advancing work in this area.
Since the World Health Organization’s 2008 Final report of the commission on social determinants of health, there has been significant growth and action focused on upstream interventions to reduce health inequities by intervening on social determinants. This conference provides a timely opportunity to reflect on progress over the past two decades and to advance thinking on how to move further upstream to address structural determinants – defined by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as “the larger societal, economic, ecological, and political contexts which shape these more proximal social determinants and, in turn, population health and well-being.”
The conference day will conclude with a reception marking the 10-year anniversary of the Upstream Lab – based at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto – and celebrating its contributions to advancing upstream approaches to health equity.
Objectives
- Discuss key scientific advancements related to structural determinants and the role of research in moving policy upstream.
- Identify methodological gaps and effective approaches for interdisciplinary research to strengthen the evaluation, implementation and policy relevance of structural determinants research.
- Explore priorities for research on structural determinants over the next 5 years for academics and research funders.
- Catalyze new connections among diverse stakeholders who are committed to advancing work to address structural determinants.
Scientific Planning Committee
- Andrew Pinto, Upstream Lab
- Benita Hosseini, Oak Valley Health and Upstream Lab
- Archna Gupta, Upstream Lab
- Saadia Sediqzadah, Upstream Lab
- Anna Dare, Upstream Lab
- Arnab Majumdar, Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH)
- Virginie Portes, Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH)
- Rebecca Hasdell, BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- Laura Gottlieb, Social Interventions Research & Evaluation Network (SIREN), University of California
- Laura Porterfield, University of Texas Medical Branch; Chair, North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Special Interest Group on Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
- Kathryn Birnie, O’Brien Institute and Health Equity Hub, University of Calgary
- Brendan Smith, Public Health Ontario (PHO)
- Alexis Reeves, Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH)
- Kazumi Tsuchiya, Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH)
- David Blane, University of Glasgow
Contact Us
For more information, please contact us at upstreamlab@unityhealth.to
An initiative of Upstream Lab
Photo credits: Pexels; Unsplash 1; Unsplash 2