We envision communities that are equitable, connected and thriving, where everyone is living their healthiest life.
Upstream Public Health is a nonprofit working in partnership with communities to transform public health through community organizing, policy advocacy, education, and developing the next generation of public health leaders.
Upstream Public Health is weight inclusive.
What is Upstream focusing on right now?
Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention Commercial tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of death in Oregon and the US, disproportionally impacting BIPOC communities, the LGBTQIA2S community, people with disabilities, and those experiencing poverty. Upstream supports bans on flavored tobacco, especially menthol cigarettes, as well as vape and hookah. Upstream supports other, best and emerging commercial tobacco use prevention strategies, as well. In 2022 and 2023, we worked with The Center for Black Health and Equity to build coalition capacity in Multnomah County and beyond! Our coalition, TOFCO, meets twice a month over zoom and occasionally in person.
TOFCO Youth Ambassadors Through our work with The Center for Black Health and Equity, we launched a Youth Ambassador program in early 2023 with an aim to empower African immigrant youth to advocate for their health. Our work with TOFCO Youth Ambassadors continues in 2024 with many educational and tabling events. The Youth Ambassadors continue to meet monthly.
Healthy Active Communities With our 2022 virtual conference, we set out to explore and expand conversations around the impacts of policy and systems change in communities related to access to nutrition security with a focus on health equity and weight inclusivity.