Wellcome’s Climate Health Initiative Under Madeleine Thomson’s Leadership
Under Dr. Madeleine Thomson’s leadership as Head of Impacts and Adaptation, Wellcome has positioned itself at the forefront of global climate health research and intervention. Thomson’s vision and expertise have shaped Wellcome’s approach to addressing the urgent health challenges posed by climate change, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where these impacts are most severe.
Wellcome, described as a politically and financially independent foundation supporting science to solve urgent health challenges, has found in Thomson an ideal leader to guide their climate health initiatives. Her over 25 years of experience in climate-sensitive health interventions provides the foundation with both scientific credibility and practical insight into what works in real-world settings.
One of Thomson’s most significant contributions to Wellcome has been the development of their ‘Our Planet Our Health’ initiative. This comprehensive program investigates the complex connections between the environment and the long-term health of our species. Thomson previously served as interim Head of Our Planet Our Health, demonstrating her central role in shaping this critical program.
Under Thomson’s leadership, Wellcome is funding 24 research teams from both climate and health backgrounds across 12 countries to develop new digital tools responding to the emerging threat of climate-sensitive infectious diseases. This initiative represents a significant investment in innovation, bringing together diverse expertise to create practical solutions for disease prediction and management.
Thomson’s approach emphasizes the integration of climate data with health information to improve the prediction and management of disease outbreaks. For example, one research team based in Vietnam is developing a digital tool called E-DENGUE that can predict dengue outbreaks up to two months in advance, specifically tailored for the Mekong Delta region. This early warning capability allows public health practitioners to mobilize resources and target interventions more effectively.
Thomson’s leadership extends beyond funding research to advocating for policy changes and raising awareness about climate health threats. She regularly contributes to public discussions about the urgent need for both climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Her work at Wellcome includes supporting researchers, policymakers, and the public in tackling health challenges associated with climate change.
The foundation’s work under Thomson’s guidance also focuses on addressing health equity issues. She consistently emphasizes that countries with the smallest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions are often most affected by climate change’s health impacts and least equipped to deal with them. This perspective guides Wellcome’s efforts to ensure that vulnerable communities have access to necessary tools and resources.
Thomson’s leadership style combines rigorous scientific approach with practical implementation focus. Her field experience in Africa, combined with her academic credentials and policy expertise, allows her to guide Wellcome’s initiatives with both scientific rigor and real-world understanding of what works in diverse settings.
The impact of Thomson’s leadership at Wellcome extends beyond individual research projects to influence global conversations about climate and health, establishing the foundation as a key player in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Learn more about Dr. Thomson’s work at Wellcome through https://wellcome.org/about-us/our-people/staff/madeleine-thomson, https://www.weforum.org/stories/authors/madeleine-thomson/, and https://climatehealth.gwu.edu/climate-and-health-seminar-dr-madeleine-thomson-head-climate-impacts-wellcome-trust.
Under Dr. Madeleine Thomson’s leadership as Head of Impacts and Adaptation, Wellcome has positioned itself at the forefront of global climate health research and intervention. Thomson’s vision and expertise have shaped Wellcome’s approach to addressing the urgent health challenges posed by climate change, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where these impacts are most severe.…