400 deaths were attributed by Public Health France to the heatwave in August.
- The August heatwave left at least 400 dead.
- People aged 75 and over constitute the age group most affected.
- High temperatures constitute a health risk, including outside periods of heatwave.
According to a new investigation of Public Health France, the heatwave that hit France in August was responsible for 400 deaths.
August heatwave: +5.4% deaths
“Since this year and 15 days after the end of each heatwave episode, Public Health France has published a weekly epidemiological update including an estimate of the excess mortality from all causes observed during extreme heat”, explains the health agency in a press release.
The third heatwave of the summer took place from 08/11 to 08/26 and affected 52 departments, 19 of which were placed on red alert.
Nearly 400 excess deaths from all causes (+5.4%) were estimated during this period in the places concerned. People aged 75 and over constitute the age group most affected. However, no fatal work accidents have been reported.
High temperatures pose a health risk
“This first estimate established 2 weeks from the end of the episode comes from incomplete mortality data”, specifies Public Health France.
Beyond this period, the French population has been exposed to heat and several episodes of heatwave since the start of summer. Thus, the organization’s estimate does not reflect the entire impact of this weather on health.
“High temperatures constitute a health risk, including outside periods of heatwave, requiring the implementation of management and prevention measures to reduce the impact of heat on populations”conclude the experts.
The 2003 heatwave killed nearly 15,000 people
Since 1947, the heatwave of 2003 “remains to this day the most severe ever recorded in France” recalls the Météo France website. This traumatic episode for many then caused the death of nearly 15,000 people in France.
