Santé publique France examines health consequences of heatwaves

Paris – 10.08.2026: Following the exceptionally hot weeks of this summer, Santé publique France wants to gain a more precise understanding of how heatwaves affect people’s daily lives and health. A newly launched survey is intended to document not only physical complaints but also consequences for mental well-being and personal well-being. The public health agency aims to use the findings to improve health protection and provide more targeted prevention advice.

The background is preliminary mortality data for the heatwave from 17 June to 2 July 2026. During this period, Santé publique France recorded at least 5,764 more deaths nationwide than would statistically have been expected. In the particularly affected periods and departments, mortality was more than 36 percent above the expected level. The figures include deaths from all causes and therefore do not demonstrate that heat was the medical cause of death in every individual case.

Preliminary excess mortality was particularly pronounced in the Île-de-France region. Nearly 2,000 additional deaths were recorded there, 81.2 percent more than expected. According to the agency, people aged 15 and over were affected across all age groups. Around two-thirds of the additional deaths involved people aged 75 and older. At the same time, the number of deaths in private homes, care facilities and hospitals increased.

The assessment is still incomplete. It is based on reports from civil registry offices, which, according to the authorities, cover around 84 percent of deaths in France; nationwide trends are extrapolated on this basis. A consolidated assessment for the entire summer is expected in the autumn. The survey now supplements statistical monitoring with personal experiences.

It is intended to capture burdens that are barely visible in emergency and mortality data. These may include sleep problems in overheated homes, exhaustion at work, restrictions on daily life or psychological pressure during prolonged heat. Santé publique France said the results should feed into public health policy and help target prevention messages more precisely. Details on the scope, duration and selection of survey participants were not initially disclosed.

France has monitored the health consequences of high temperatures for years through a system that combines data from emergency departments, SOS Médecins call-outs and death registers. It documents heatstroke, dehydration, overheating and electrolyte imbalances, among other conditions. The new study broadens this perspective to include impairments that do not trigger an acute diagnosis or medical treatment but can significantly reduce quality of life during a heatwave.