Key Points

• The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region experienced two heat waves, the first occurring during the first half of July and the second during the second half of August 2023. During these heat waves, biometeorological alert thresholds were exceeded in 7 of the 8 departments (Côte-d’Or, Jura, and Saône-et-Loire in July; all departments except Yonne in August). A significant impact on health was observed during these periods:

  • 62 SOS Médecins calls were recorded regionally for the iCanicule indicator, as well as 299 emergency room visits for the iCanicule indicator, 183 of which resulted in hospitalization. Use of emergency care accounted for up to 0.9% of daily SOS Médecins calls and 0.7% of daily emergency room visits. People aged 75 and older remained the most affected during the two heatwave episodes.

  • Across the two heatwave periods that particularly affected our region, it is estimated that 37% of the observed deaths (n = 103 deaths) were attributable to the heat. The vast majority (n = 93 deaths, or 90%) involved people aged 75 and older.

• Link to the infographic