Lessons of the 2003 Heat-Wave in France and Action Taken to Limit the Effects of Future Heat-Waves

Abstract

In August 2003, France was hit by a severe heat-wave, with catastrophic health consequences (an imputed 14,800 deaths). This health crisis was unforeseen, was only detected belatedly and brought to the fore several deficiencies in the French public health system: a limited number of experts working in the sphere; poor exchange of information between several public organizations which were understrength because of the summer holidays and whose responsibilities were not clearly defined in this particular area; health authorities overwhelmed by the influx of patients; crematoria/cemeteries unable to deal with the influx of bodies; nursing homes underequipped with air-conditioning and in manpower crisis; and a large number of elderly people living alone without a support system and without proper guidelines to protect themselves from the heat.

This health crisis, without precedent since the Second World War, has had serious repercussions and has led the French government to take various steps to limit the effects on public health of any future heat-waves. Firstly, a number of studies are looking at the risk factors associated with the heat-wave. These should lead, in particular, to action thresholds being defined for given meteorological parameters. Secondly, a health surveillance (checks on the number of admissions to emergency wards) and environmental surveillance (meteorological data) mechanism is to be put in place. Finally, national and local action plans are to be drawn up by June 2004. These will clearly identify the public organizations with responsibility for heat-wave issues, their roles and the action to be taken at each level.