What are Upstream Approaches?
Think about the most powerful forces in society that distribute wealth, power, resources and opportunities, advantaging some over others. We call these forces structural determinants. These forces are not inherently fair and just. In fact, structural determinants create systems of oppression that profoundly affect people’s lives. This includes things like racism, colonialism, patriarchy, classism and ableism (among others).1
Collectively, the impact of these social and political systems is referred to as structural violence. Structural violence is synonymous with social injustice and frames health inequities as an act of violence.2
Upstream approaches focus on social justice by acknowledging these often unseen systems as the root causes of inequity within and between communities. Upstream approaches work to influence and transform these systems in order to build brighter communities where everyone has access to the same opportunities.3,4
Read more in What Are Upstream Approaches? A Primer.
CoI Goals
The Upstream Approaches Community of Interest (CoI) aimed to:
- Deepen our collective understanding of upstream approaches and determinants and their role in addressing inequity and harm.
- Raise awareness of the importance of upstream approaches to achieving greater community safety and well-being.
- Build capacity to identify interventions and strategies to address structural inequity and advocate for including upstream approaches.
Contact
This community of interest is no longer active and is not accepting new member requests.
For general inquiries about any of the resources provided below, please contact Sheena.Albanese@tbdhu.com.
References
- Illinois Department of Public Health. Understanding Social Determinants of Health. 2024. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/lifestages-populations/infant-mortality/toolkit/understanding-sdoh.html
- De Maio F, Ansell D. “As Natural as the Air Around Us”: On the Origin and Development of the Concept of Structural Violence in Health Research. Int J Health Serv. 2018;48(4):749-759. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731418792825
- Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. WRCPC Upstream Prevention Video [Video]. YouTube. Published March 7, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YbFXx99k6NI
- Harvard Global Health Institute. Systems of oppression. 2024. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/domains/systems-of-oppression/
Check out the rest of EENet's CoIs/CoPs here: https://kmb.camh.ca/eenet/communities.
Related resources, news, and events
Planet Youth in Canada
Resource | Mar 4, 2025Webinar recording: Uncovering the Hidden Engines of Social Inequities
Resource | Dec 17, 2024What are upstream approaches? A primer
Resource | Mar 25, 2024Upstream Approaches: CoI Project Overview
Resource | Jun 21, 2023Research snapshot: Upstream solutions to prevent Indigenous youth houselessness
Resource | Jun 21, 2023