Assessment of excess mortality during the heat waves of the summers of 2006 and 2015 in mainland France

Exposure to high temperatures poses a major health risk, potentially leading to death or significant long-term health effects, as was the case in August 2003, when an excess mortality of approximately 15,000 deaths was observed in metropolitan France. In France, between 1950 and 2018, the summers of 2006 and 2015 were respectively the fourth and third hottest (tied with 2017) behind 2003, which ranked first, and 2018, which ranked second. The summers of 2006 and 2015 have been the subject of assessments using different methodological approaches. The primary objective of the report presented here is to produce a detailed assessment of the excess mortality observed during the heat waves of the summers of 2006 and 2015 (by sex, age, and department) using the same method and based on comprehensive death data provided by INSEE. In 2006, during the two heat waves observed, 11,494 deaths were recorded, including 1,048 excess deaths, representing a 10% increase in mortality. In 2015, across all four heat waves observed, 11,636 deaths were recorded, including 1,722 excess deaths, representing an increase of more than 17% in mortality. Regardless of gender, this excess mortality is observed primarily in older age groups, specifically those aged 45 and older. The findings of this report do not support the conclusion that heat-related risk has decreased since the 2003 heat wave. The impacts observed in 2006 and 2015 underscore the importance of continuing efforts on the preventive measures implemented since 2004 and the implementation of the National Heat Wave Plan.

Author(s): Ung Aymeric, Corso Magali, Pascal Mathilde, Laaidi Karine, Wagner Vérène, Beaudeau Pascal, Le Tertre Alain

Publishing year: 2019

Pages: 47 p.

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