Global Human Milk Research Consortium – challenging the science, pushing the knowledge boundaries
The GHMRC includes five independent research centers, based at renowned universities and endowed by the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation.
Each LRF Research Center focuses on individual, yet complementary topics that can advance the global understanding of breastfeeding and human milk.
Our centers’ visions highlight important components of health and development that contribute to reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – immunology, neurodevelopment, endocrinology of lactation, microbiome and human oligosaccharides, and behavioral economics.
Beyond our individual research agendas, we are collaborating on interdisciplinary projects capable of bridging traditional divides between disciplines.
Our shared GHMRC vision
To improve every life through interdisciplinary research on breastfeeding and human milk.
Mission
We start by focusing on small vulnerable newborns.
We partner with experts in LMICs, where the need is greatest, to identify, prioritize, and address critical knowledge gaps.
We collaboratively use our expertise across biomedical, health, social, and economic sciences to create high-quality interdisciplinary evidence.
We plan research with implementation in mind to reduce the barriers between evidence generation and positive social impact.
We believe this is how the GHMRC can contribute to the quest to reach the UN SDGs by 2030.
Global Human Milk Research Consortium
Breastfeeding is a central part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is linked to many of the SDGs.
Human milk nourishes infants completely and safely.
It promotes healthy lives while contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture and consumption patterns, helping to offset poverty. Human milk and breastfeeding prevent child and maternal diseases in the immediate and long terms – further reducing poverty and advancing gender and national equality.
Breastfeeding is a central part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is linked to many of the SDGs. Improvements in breastfeeding would help achieve the targets for health, food security, education, equity, development, and the environment.
Breastfeeding is a critical key in achieving SDG 2 and SDG 3, which include ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and wellbeing. Breastfeeding is an essential part of a healthy early childhood, supporting both physical and cognitive development, helping to drive the achievement of SDG 4. Breastfeeding is also linked to critical equality issues including birth spacing and workplace rights, contributing to SDG 5. These improved outcomes in health and learning in turn support the achievement of other goals, including SDGs 1, 8 and 10, which concern ending poverty, promoting economic growth, and reducing inequalities. Human milk is created and consumed with a minimal ecological footprint, supporting SDG 12.
Breastfeeding is one of the keys to reducing under-five mortality. Increasing rates of breastfeeding to target levels could save the lives of infants six months old and younger.
UN SDGs related to breastfeeding and human milk
Breastfeeding also plays a crucial role in achieving WHO Global Targets 2030.
WHO Global Targets related to breastfeeding and human milk
