The first heat wave of the summer and the heat peaks caused 80 excess deaths in France.
- 21 metropolitan departments experienced a heat wave from July 7 to 13, 2023.
- According to the first estimates of Public Health France, this heat peak is responsible for at least 80 excess deaths from all causes (3.8%). 2 fatal workplace accidents possibly related to heat have been reported
- In addition to this scorching week, the French population has been exposed to heat since the beginning of June. The organization warns that this estimate does not reflect the full impact of heat on health. This estimate will be consolidated in the final balance sheet.
Since the 2003 heat wave, heat waves and their consequences for the population have been closely monitored by the health authorities. Thus, only 15 days after the first heatwave episode of this summer, Santé Publique France published an initial estimate of the excess mortality recorded between July 7 and 13.
Heat wave of July: to minus 80 deaths caused by heat spikes
The first heat wave of the summer spread over 21 metropolitan departments, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Corsica, Great East and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. This covered approximately 20% of the resident population in these regions. According to first estimates published on August 2this heat wave resulted in at least 80 excess deaths from all causes (+3.8%) in the affected areas. In addition, two potentially heat-related fatal work accidents were also reported.
“This first estimate is lower than the excess all-cause mortality observed in previous summers. There is not just one possible explanation. But this small excess can be explained mainly by a lesser duration, intensity and extent of this episode than other heat wave episodes observed historically. Other hypotheses can also be put forward, such as better consideration of the risk by the populations, improved medical care and management and prevention measures, without it being possible to demonstrate and therefore measure the contribution”explains Robin Lagarrigue, in charge of scientific studies at the Occupational Health and Environment Department on the Public Health France website.
Excess mortality: data that must be consolidated
It is important to note that this estimate does not reflect the full impact of the heat on the health of the French population, as temperatures were also very high in June. He it was the second warmest June since 1900. “The estimate published in this summary corresponds to an initial estimate established two weeks after the end of the heat wave period. This estimate will be consolidated in the final balance sheet.says the report.
The summer 2003 heat wave, which was responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths, did not only lead to increased monitoring of excess mortality. Measures have been taken to improve the prevention and management of heat waves in France.
Faced with heat waves that are likely to cause various health problems such as sunstroke, cramps, dehydration, heat stroke, hyponatremia (decrease in the concentration of salt in the blood) and even death, it is recommended to stay hydrated, avoid intense physical activities during the hottest hours of the day and seek cool places to cool off. It is also important to pay attention to the most vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and children, and to ensure that they do not suffer from heat-related complications.