Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: BEATA ZAWRZEL / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP 15:30 pm, September 13, 2023

According to estimates from the Public Health Agency France published Wednesday, almost 400 more deaths than normal were recorded in France during the heat wave that hit 52 departments from August 11 to 26. In the autumn, Public Health France will publish a consolidated assessment of the health impact of the various heat waves.

Almost 400 more deaths than normal were recorded in France during the heat wave that hit 52 departments from August 11 to 26, according to estimates from the Public Health Agency France published Wednesday, a balance sheet that remains to be consolidated. "Nearly 400 excess deaths from all causes (+5.4%) were estimated during this heat wave in the departments concerned," the health agency said in a statement. It states that people aged 75 and over are the most affected age group.

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The impacts on mortality are heterogeneous according to the departments

A phenomenon whose frequency is amplified by global warming, a heat wave is defined as a prolonged period of heat without interruption for several days. The impacts on mortality are heterogeneous according to the departments due in particular to the duration (number of days in a heat wave) and the intensity (temperatures) of the episode, but also to the period of occurrence and the type of population affected. During the period, the regions with the highest departmental excesses were Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with 169 excess deaths (+7.3%) and Nouvelle Aquitaine with 120 excess deaths (+9.5%).

No fatal work accident has been reported by the Directorate General of Labour at Public Health France for this episode, says the health agency. These estimates are still preliminary for several reasons. They are based, for example, on mortality data that are not yet complete. Above all, they do not accurately assess deaths directly due to heat waves. For the time being, they only indicate the extent to which all deaths have exceeded normal during this period.

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A consolidated balance sheet in the autumn

In the autumn, Santé publique France will publish a consolidated assessment of the health impact of the various heat waves and more generally of the exposure of the French population to high temperatures throughout the 2023 summer period.