Key Points

• The fourth heat wave of the summer occurred from September 3 to 11, 2023, and affected 17 departments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Brittany, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions.

• At least 60 excess deaths from all causes (+2.2%) were estimated during this heat wave in the affected departments. This initial estimate, made two weeks after the end of the heat wave, is based on incomplete mortality data. (Data as of October 2, with approximately 95% of reports received).

• No fatal workplace accidents were reported by the General Directorate of Labor to Santé publique France for this episode

• Beyond this episode, the French population has been exposed to heat and several heatwave episodes since the start of summer. Thus, this estimate does not reflect the full impact of heat on health.

• Heat is a health risk, even outside of heatwave periods, requiring the implementation of management and prevention measures to reduce the impact of heat on the population.