Santé publique France's cross-sectoral response to the climate and environmental changes

Heat is one of the most rapidly changing climate-related health issues. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) considered that current existing and planned adaptation measures will not be sufficient to limit the health impacts of heat in Europe. The French heat wave alert system, set up in 2004, was one of the first and most innovative in the world thanks to a close collaboration between the French weather service Météo-France, the national public health agency and the ministry of health. It also benefits from a reactive syndromic surveillance based on emergency room visits and general practitioners emergency consultations. Yet, it is now challenged by the increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves due to climate change. The impacts of recent years show that short-term responses based on timely behavioural changes during heat waves are now insufficient. Structural adaptation measures are an asset, and should not only consider adaptation to heat, but also wider opportunities for mitigation and reduction of inequities, in order to promote robust healthy environments that protect against climate disruption. This presentation will share how Santé publique France is developing a set of interdisciplinary studies and an advocacy strategy to encourage stakeholders involved in urban planning and housing to better take into account the impact of heat in their projects.