Extreme weather and climate events and public health responses.
WHO Report Summary: Impact of Heat-Waves on Mortality in France
A World Health Organization meeting in 2004 highlighted the significant rise in deaths during the 2003 heatwave in France. The heatwave increased mortality due to hyperthermia, dehydration, respiratory, and genitourinary diseases. Misreporting issues, where cardiovascular deaths were classified under other causes, were noted. The report recommends enhancing public health by improving building designs and urban planning to reduce heat buildup.
Concerning long-term measures, it was felt that public health authorities should encourage and support improvements in building design and city plans to diminish the build-up of heat.
Heat-waves were associated with an increase in all causes of death, not just heat stroke. In France, an excess of mortality was observed for all causes of deaths. The highest increases were observed for causes directly linked to the heat-wave, such as Hyperthermia and dehydration (28.9% of the 2003 heat-wave total mortality was attributable to the heat-wave). Mortality due to respiratory diseases and genitourinary diseases also showed a significant increase.
However, a bias exists in the description of the causes of deaths, as some cardiovascular diseases have been reported as respiratory diseases (pulmonary oedema) and some hyperthermia have been reported as infections.
Concerning long-term measures, it was felt that public health authorities should encourage and support improvements in building design and city plans to diminish the build-up of heat.
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