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aboutWe must address Canada's Indigenous suicide epidemic
Speaking of Truth and Reconciliation, Justice Murray Sinclair said “the truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” Its story is one few wish to hear – but avoiding these topics has left us in the dark.
My name is Jared Brown, a Nēhiyaw and Métis man from Treaty Six territory, working toward legal advocacy against injustice in Canada. The health and well-being of all Indigenous peoples, and our nation as a whole, depends on finding our courage to turn on the lights.
My Light Bulb Moment: Canada's vaccination gap
I am a Canadian nurse. I realized that our health is socially determined while working with children from northern communities in a pediatrics ward.
Read moreFood bank stats don't tell the story of food insecurity
‘Food insecurity’ refers to the inadequate access to food because of financial constraints — and it’s a larger problem in Canada than most realize.
Read moreChoosing the better story
Acclaimed Canadian author Yann Martel has just released a new novel: The High Mountains of Portugal. He sat down with Upstream’s Ryan Meili to discuss his new book, the importance of story, and his hopes for Canada’s future.
Read moreSuccess stories limit our thinking about health solutions
Think of an inspiring success story. How about a refugee who, despite years of poverty and exposure to war, becomes a physician and teaches the world about peace? Or those with disabilities who overcome tremendous barriers and succeed beyond all expectations?
From these stories, we learn to admire individuals who 'overcome the odds', through telling hero stories about their courage and resolve.
Read moreHealth summit could change the landscape of medicare
On Tuesday, federal Health Minister Jane Philpott will begin a two-day meeting with her provincial and territorial counterparts in Vancouver. This is no ordinary get-together.
Read moreThe disease of isolation, and cure of community
Isolation, addiction, crime and homelessness are a vicious cycle all tied up in poverty.
Kingston Helps was born from the Poverty Reduction health group to provide a place for one to find any service one may need regardless of the position they find themselves in. It's an organization dedicated not only to uplifting those in poverty, but improving our understanding of the causes and effects of the social determinants of health.
Read moreStopping crime upstream: The social determinants of justice
Upstream founder Dr. Ryan Meili recently interviewed Clive Weighill, president of The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, whose many accomplishments span forty years of service.
Together they explored the many commonalities between the social determinants of health and the social determinants of crime and justice. At the heart of these challenges, is why Canada's public and its decision makers tend to look downstream in both health and justice, when there are such promising alternatives.
Read moreBreaking new ground in the new year
2015 was an exciting year for us. In the autumn season alone, Upstream continued to lead on a poverty reduction strategy for Saskatchewan, released a landmark report on Living Wage in Saskatoon, and urged Canadians to #vote4health in the federal election.
Canada's community-led efforts for a healthier society are set to get even stronger in 2016.
Read moreLiving Wages make communities resilient
Trish Hennessy knows inequality. The founding director of the CCPA's project to examine increasing income inequality in Canada recently gave a Walrus Talk on resilience, and the key importance of making a living wage for weathering life's challenges.
She also sat down with Upstream founder Ryan Meili, to discuss why living wages are so important in Canada for healthy lives, healthy communities and a healthy economy.
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