2023-08-02 15:44:12
Public Health France lists 80 excess deaths due to the heat wave that affected the south of France from July 7 to 13. 21 departments are concerned.
The start of the scorching summer is not without consequences for nature, but also for human health. In a press release, Public Health France estimates that the number of deaths increased by 3.8% during the first heat wave of the year which affected 21 departments.
This increase is not formally due to the rise in temperatures, but seems to be correlated with it. Every year, when the heat waves arrive, Public Health France calculates an estimate of the excess mortality from all causes. According to Robin Lagarrigue, in charge of scientific studies at the Occupational Health and Environment Department, “this excess can be attributed in large part to the exposure of the population to heat”.
The first heat wave of the year affected 20% of the French population. In some departments, the mercury has exceeded 40°C, which represents a health risk. Especially since this heatwave episode comes following the second hottest month of June since 1900, according to Météo France.
However, the excess mortality this year “is lower than the excess mortality from all causes observed in previous summers”, underlines Robin Lagarrigue. Indeed, the first heat wave of the summer of 2023 in metropolitan France did not affect the northern departments, where the temperatures were rather autumnal in recent weeks. In addition, the duration of the heatwave episode in the affected regions was 3 to 6 days as highlighted by Public Health France. We are a long way from the long weeks of sweltering heat that France experienced in previous summers.
But Robin Lagarrigue believes that this decline may also be due to “better consideration of the risk by the populations, an improvement in medical care and management and prevention measures, without us being able to to demonstrate it and therefore to measure its contribution”.
Two fatal workplace accidents
The General Directorate of Labor has nevertheless notified Public Health France of two fatal work accidents possibly linked to heat. These two accidents occurred in regions with a heat wave (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Grand Est).
These deaths highlight the need to protect oneself from the heat, especially in a context of climate change. Public Health France therefore specifies the prevention advice in periods of high heat, such as not waiting to be thirsty to hydrate, not drinking alcohol, avoiding going out at the hottest hours and daring to ask for help. to his loved ones in case of need.
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