Madeleine Thomson Explains How Heatwaves Threaten Maternal and Child Health
Extreme heat does not affect all people equally. According to Dr. Madeleine Thomson, whose career bridges epidemiology, climate science, and public health, pregnant women and children are among the most vulnerable groups during climate-driven heat events. In a Sky News feature, she explained how “tropical nights” across southern Europe are increasing stress on populations already struggling with record-setting temperatures.
Thomson’s professional background, documented on her Crunchbase profile, includes decades of work at the Wellcome Trust and Columbia University. There, she has studied how health systems can adapt to protect children from heat-related illnesses. Her insights are also reflected in her Wellcome biography, where she leads climate-health adaptation projects.
Rising nighttime temperatures can harm maternal health by contributing to gestational complications and reducing sleep quality, which is critical during pregnancy. For children, disrupted rest can stunt recovery, heighten risk of dehydration, and aggravate pre-existing conditions like asthma. Thomson argues that these risks will intensify unless cities redesign themselves to handle sustained nighttime heat.
Her work has influenced global discussions on how climate change affects children’s health, including her research shared through ResearchGate. She continues to call for evidence-based interventions, such as school heatwave policies and investment in maternal health services, to prevent avoidable suffering as Europe warms.