21 States Have Issued Sepsis Awareness Month Proclamations

Sepsis Awareness Month is in its ninth year. When Sepsis Alliance first designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month, it was a quiet affair, with some hospitals, healthcare professionals, survivors, and loved ones holding events and handing out literature to promote awareness. Over the years, as Sepsis Awareness Month grew, state legislatures have recognized the importance of sepsis awareness and have officially recognized either Sepsis Awareness Month or World Sepsis Day, which was established eight years ago by the Global Sepsis Alliance. Three states led the charge in 2016: Hawaii, Michigan, and Tennessee. More are considering observing these important awareness initiatives.

Proclamations have been issued by 21 states so far:

• California – 2019
• Colorado – 2018
• Hawaii – 2016
• Illinois – 2017
• Indiana – 2019
• Iowa – 2019
• Kansas – 2018
• Kentucky – 2018
• Maryland – 2018
• Massachusetts – 2017
• Michigan – 2016
• Nebraska – 2018
• New Hampshire – 2019
• New Jersey – 2019
• North Carolina – 2019
• North Dakota – 2018
• Ohio – 2017
• Oklahoma – 2017
• Pennsylvania – 2017 – 2019
• South Dakota – 2018
• Tennessee – 2016

These types of proclamations are important in helping raise sepsis awareness in the country, state by state. “It is important for states to be part of the solution for their citizens,” says Sepsis Alliance founder, Carl Flatley, DDS, MSD. “Lives and limbs can be saved while reducing health care costs. Some states have a higher incidents rate than others.”

Awareness events, including proclamations save lives. Whenever the word “sepsis” is used, it brings attention to the condition. Many people have never heard the word or they’ve heard of it, but they don’t know what it is. Hearing and seeing the word in the media helps educate people and this is what saves lives. “A state proclamation is beneficial to highlight the burden of sepsis locally and steps to educate the public,” Flatley explains. “Eighty percent of sepsis cases start in the community so the public is the first to be educated to early action.”

If your state isn’t listed, you can help encourage your elected officials to recognize Sepsis Awareness Month for next year. Visit the Sepsis Awareness Month page, and download the Healthcare and Government Toolkit. On page 10, you will find a template you can use to work with your local or state government to officially designate Sepsis Awareness Month.

The entire team at Sepsis Alliance would like to thank everyone who was involved in helping get their states involved in sepsis awareness, from the people on the street who promoted the cause to the elected officials who signed the proclamations. It is a team effort.