PROJECTS

What is Upstream focusing on right now?

Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention Commercial tobacco and nicotine use is still the leading preventable cause of death in Oregon and disproportionally affects communities of color, people with disabilities, and those experiencing poverty. Upstream supports efforts to raise the price of tobacco, we support flavor bans, including menthol, vape, and hookah, and we support protecting the Indoor Clean Air Act (ICAA). Upstream supports other, best and emerging commercial tobacco use prevention strategies as well. TOFCO meets twice a month over zoom.

Upstream Academy 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.

Nourish Lane Alliance and Alianza de Salud de Lane are our community-driven coalitions in Lane County focused on nutrition security and education around sugary drink consumption. We concluded meetings with these groups in 2024 and will begin new community organizing in 2026 partnering with organizations, community members, and local public health.

Weight Inclusive Public Health Upstream actively stays away from policies and projects that stigmatize body size. We work to promote research supporting leaving this outdated and harmful approach behind.