World Health Assembly Passes Sepsis Resolution

May 25, 2017

The 70th World Health Assembly passed a resolution on sepsis today, marking an important step in global awareness for sepsis. This important resolution recognizes sepsis as a medical emergency and shines a much-needed spotlight on this treatable condition, calling for stronger prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis as well as implementing processes and protocols in healthcare facilities.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that affects over 26 million people and is the largest killer of children worldwide each year. Furthermore, every year more than 1.6 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sepsis and every two minutes someone dies from this treatable condition. Just 55 percent of adults in the U.S. have ever heard of sepsis, according to the 2016 Sepsis Alliance Awareness Survey. Simply by raising awareness of the definition and symptoms of sepsis, lives can be saved. 

Sepsis Alliance offers many resources for the public and physicians alike to educate themselves and others about sepsis including definition and symptoms of sepsisconnections of sepsis with common infections and conditions such as UTI or diabetes, and common tests for sepsis.