Introduction - In 2001, there were no data on mortality related to HCV and HBV in metropolitan France. The Center for Epidemiology of Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc-Inserm) initiated a study based on death certificates, supplemented by follow-up surveys of certifying physicians and reviews of the patients’ medical records. Materials and Methods - A random sample of 1,000 death certificates was drawn from 65,000 certificates mentioning, on the one hand, liver diseases that could suggest a link to HCV and HBV, and on the other hand, HIV or an unspecified infection. For each selected death, a questionnaire was sent to the certifying physician. The questionnaires were analyzed independently by expert hepatologists. Results - The annual number of deaths associated with HCV and HBV was 3,618 and 1,507 (6.1 and 2.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). The annual number of deaths attributable to HCV and HBV was 2,646 and 1,327 (4.5 and 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). Among HCV-infected individuals, 95% had cirrhosis and 33% had hepatocellular carcinoma. In the HBV-infected group, 93% had cirrhosis and 35% had hepatocellular carcinoma. Regardless of the group, one in 10 cases was co-infected with HIV, and excessive alcohol consumption was associated with an earlier age at death. Discussion-Conclusion - In France, 4,000 to 5,000 deaths were linked to HCV and HBV in 2001. Alcohol consumption and HIV co-infection are significant contributing factors. These data confirm the severity of the infection and the need to implement screening and management programs for individuals infected with HCV and HBV. (R.A.)