Even if the current temperatures make us forget the episodes of heat wave that we often experience in summer, Public Health France reminds us that the high temperatures recorded from July 7 to 13 last had an effect on the number of deaths.
“At least 80 excess deaths from all causes combined (+3.8%) were estimated during this heat wave in the 21 departments concerned” announces SPF in a first estimate established two weeks from the end of the heatwave episode. In addition, “2 fatal work accidents possibly linked to the heat were notified by the General Directorate of Labor on the departments and periods affected by the heat wave”.
Strong exposure to heat since June
Beyond this first heat wave of the summer, the French population has been exposed to strong heat since the beginning of June (which is the 2nd hottest month of June since 1900). Thus, “this estimate does not reflect the entire impact of heat on health” insists Public Health France.
These high temperatures, which are often perceived as presenting no health issue, nevertheless also lead to significant risks. Last June, the health authorities presented a report on the impact of the heat wave on mortality between 2014 and 2022. The report thus underlines that the impact of the heat is not limited to the most extreme periods.
- Nearly 33,000 deaths are attributable to heat between June 1 and September 15 each year, including 23,000 deaths of people aged 75 and over.
- Between 1,000 and 7,000 deaths are attributable to the heat each year, outside of heat waves.
- About two-thirds of the impact mainly concerns people aged 75 and over, but the remaining third concerns people under 75.
