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Heat wave triggers political conflict as French death rates rise

BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7412.411 (Published 21 August 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:411
  1. Alexander Dorozynski
  1. Paris

    Dr Lucien Abenhaïm, director general for health in the French government, resigned this week in the wake of a conflict over the death toll triggered by the recent heat wave. More than 3000, and possibly as many as 5000, deaths have been caused by the heat.


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    Sunbathers at Paris's artificial beach, set up by the city authorities throughout August

    Credit: FRANÇOIS GUILLOT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

    The heat related death rate in France has been much higher than in any other country in the European …

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