January 3 sees the highest number of deaths each year in France. Seniors are the most affected by this alarming phenomenon. How can we explain this peak and protect the most vulnerable? Our answers.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
Every year, a date sadly resonates in the INSEE statistics: January 3, the disastrous day when France records the most deaths.
Between 2004 and 2023, this day saw, on average, 1,900 people lose their lives, a figure 19% higher than the daily average of 1,600 deaths. Why this chilling peak? Diving into the heart of a phenomenon that deserves our attention in order to try to protect our most fragile loved ones.
On this curve showing the differences in mortality between 2004 and 2023, for each day by comparing them to the average number of daily deaths, January 3 ranks as the day with the most deaths, with a sadly positive difference of +19, 2%.
In contrast, the lowest point of this curve is August 15. It is the day of the year with the fewest deaths.
Read: Diseases and deaths. What are the specificities of Brittany?
Winter is the season when nature seems to stop and death takes hold. With an excess mortality of +14% in January and +12% in February, these cold months are the deadliest of the year. Between seasonal viruses like the flu, gastroenteritis, Covid-19 and freezing temperatures, the most fragile organisms are put to the test.
Seniors, particularly those over 90, pay the heaviest price: their excess mortality climbs to +21% in January. While medical advances can save lives, winter remains a real challenge for the most vulnerable.
Conversely, summer appears to be a period of respite, with an average mortality drop of 9% in August. Even feared heatwaves, like that of 2003, have not reversed this trend, thanks to more effective prevention plans. But winter continues to wreak havoc.
Read: Blue Week. At 100 years old, Paulette responded to our interview by email, on her tablet. “It’s more practical!”
Here on this interactive graph, the number of deaths per day according to the month. Data compiled by INSEE indicates results for the years 2022 to 2024.
The end-of-year celebrations are not without consequences. In family, some at the end of life would postpone the deadline to share a last moment with their loved ones, according to the INSEE study. Spending Christmas or New Year surrounded by your tribe can become a surprisingly powerful psychological motivator. But this reprieve does not last.
Add to that excess food, alcohol abuse and the stress of preparations: all of this takes a heavy toll on the cardiovascular system. People suffering from chronic illnesses, particularly heart diseases, are the first to suffer.
With the resumption of surgical interventions scheduled just after the holidays and public holidays, fragile patients are exposed to increased risks. It is therefore no coincidence that January 3 concentrates so many dramas, which INSEE offers as an element of analysis.
On the other hand, Sundays and public holidays, such as August 15 or Christmas, record lower mortality, probably thanks to a reduction in medical interventions.
For young people, the end of year celebrations hold other dangers. January 1 is the day when road accidents explode: +23%. Alcohol, fatigue and long journeys combine to make this day a real nightmare for 18-29 year olds.
Here in the form of a data table, a table summarizing for each day of the year, the difference in mortality for the day with the average number of deaths.
Faced with these revelations, prevention becomes a priority. In winter, it is crucial to watch over the most vulnerable: visiting elderly loved ones, monitoring their health, encouraging them to avoid excesses are all simple but essential actions.
For young people, caution is required on the roads. Limiting alcohol, avoiding driving after parties, and opting for public transportation or taxis can make all the difference.
And for everyone, a universal piece of advice: during the holiday season, take care of your health. Excesses, however tempting they may be, often have a cost. January 3, with its dark record, reminds us of this brutal but salutary reality: life is fragile.
