Grant: Applied Public Health Chair - RA 4 - Upstream Prevention in Primary Healthcare

Upstream prevention means addressing the root causes of illness and disability, such as the social determinants of health, and often engages diverse sectors in a coordinated effort to improve health and reduce inequities. Upstream prevention in primary healthcare is a central focus of my research. As a family physician, public health specialist and scientist, and as founder and director of the Upstream Lab, I have built a strong foundation for this Applied Public Health Chair. Over the 6 year term, I will work closely with decision makers, primary care organizations and communities to: 1) establish a system of ongoing evidence syntheses to identify the most effective upstream interventions and support scale-up in primary care organizations; 2) use implementation science methods to study change in primary care organizations as they engage in upstream prevention, and provide this to knowledge users to inform health system reform; 3) identify gaps in the evidence, and work with patients, providers and policymakers to identify future research priorities and obtain funding to develop and evaluate new upstream interventions; 4) link upstream efforts in primary healthcare to rapid responses to future health threats and opportunities for policy change in collaboration with public health. Throughout, I will build capacity among research trainees and early career researchers, share methodological lessons learned with an Upstream Summer Institute, and extend our impact through Upstream Lab International Fellows. This work is in close collaboration with decision makers such as Anna Greenberg (Chief of Strategy and Planning, Ontario Health), and a National Advisory Council involving patient partners, primary care organizations, public health organizations and funders from across Canada. Collectively, my activities proposed for this Chair will significantly advance upstream prevention in primary healthcare to promote health and health equity nationally and internationally.