Key Points

In mainland France, June and July 2019 were marked by two widespread and intense heat waves. During these two heat waves, for the first time since the implementation of the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC), mainland departments were placed under a red alert due to exceptionally high daytime temperatures.

In the Grand Est region, these two heatwave episodes led to orange alerts for all departments, as well as a red alert for the departments of Aube and Marne during the second episode. A significant impact on the use of emergency care was observed during these periods:

• During the first heatwave, heat-related conditions (defined by the iCanicule indicator, which includes hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia) accounted for 1.3% of emergency room visits and 3.8% of consultations with SOS Médecins associations in the region.

• During the second episode, this activity was lower, accounting for 0.9% of emergency room visits and 2.1% of consultations at SOS Médecins clinics.

• The hospitalization rate following an emergency department visit during these two episodes was 43.6% and 50.5%, respectively.

• During both episodes, all age groups were affected.

In the Grand Est region, the impact on mortality was low during these two episodes.