Key Points

• The Occitanie region experienced two heat waves, the first occurring in the second half of July and the second in the second half of August 2023. During these heat waves, biometeorological alert thresholds were exceeded in 12 of the 13 departments. A significant impact on health was observed during these periods:

  • 68 SOS Médecins calls were recorded regionally for the iCanicule indicator, as well as 391 emergency room visits for the iCanicule indicator, 216 of which resulted in hospitalization. Use of emergency care accounted for up to 0.7% of daily SOS Médecins calls and 0.5% of daily emergency room visits. People aged 75 and older and those aged 15–74 were affected in nearly equal measure during the two heat wave episodes.

  • Across the two heatwave periods that particularly affected our region, 11% of observed deaths were attributable to the heat, with three-quarters of these involving people aged 75 and older.

• Link to the infographic