The 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis is the first global strategy developed under the leadership of the Global Sepsis Alliance, with the engagement of 70 partner and member organizations from GSA and Regional Sepsis Alliances across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
The Global Sepsis Alliance officially launched the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Parliament on September 10, 2024. This historic event was led by the Chair of the Global Health Sub-Committee in the German Bundestag. It was held in partnership with the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, the Virchow Foundation, and Sepsis Stiftung.
Sepsis survivors and families who have lost loved ones to sepsis played a crucial role in the development of this document. Their advocacy has led to significant changes in countries such as the United States, Belgium, and France. They are ready to become even stronger advocates, aiming to reduce sepsis-related deaths by at least 2 million annually before 2030.
The 2030 Global Agenda highlights the significant human, societal, and economic burden of sepsis and underscores that achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require stronger action against sepsis.
Sepsis remains a major global health issue, accounting for 1 in every 5 deaths worldwide and affecting 48.9 million people. Newborns, children under the age of 5, women, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to this medical emergency.
Every year, sepsis causes at least 11 million deaths, yet it remains largely invisible in global health discussions and frameworks. Recent estimates suggest that sepsis claims 13.7 million lives annually.
Of the estimated 13.7 million sepsis-related deaths each year, approximately 4.95 million are associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Yet, compared to the critically important challenge of AMR, sepsis continues to receive disproportionately low political attention and investments.
With 5.7 million maternal sepsis cases and 2.9 million deaths among children under five annually, achieving health-related SDGs for 2030 is unattainable without fundamental changes in the global response to sepsis. Enhancing sepsis responses can also accelerate progress toward eight additional SDGs by addressing gender inequality, improving universal health coverage (UHC), and strengthening pandemic preparedness.
The economic impact of sepsis is substantial. Sepsis accounts for 2.65% of healthcare budgets, with a median hospital cost of €36,191 per septic patient.
Sepsis survivors often face long-term consequences and require specialized care and rehabilitation, which is frequently unavailable even in countries with robust healthcare systems.
Seven years after the adoption of the historic World Health Assembly Resolution, only 15 countries—less than 10% of UN Member States—have developed national action plans or policies for sepsis.
Finally, the document outlines a shared vision for making sepsis the next success story in global health through the following actions.
Urgent and Adequate Political Attention: Sepsis affects nearly 50 million people annually and requires immediate political attention and investment. This includes support from national governments, international development aid, global public-private partnerships (such as GAVI and the Global Fund), philanthropic foundations, the private sector, and innovative funding mechanisms like UNITAID.
Whole-of-Society Approach: It is crucial to continuously raise awareness about sepsis within families and communities, emphasizing that it is a medical emergency that demands immediate care. Every member of our communities has a role in this global fight. Actions should be taken at national, regional, and international levels, ranging from policy and health system strengthening to media outreach and community-level activities.
Innovative Solutions: We need new and more effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, antibiotics, immunomodulatory therapies, and rehabilitation resources for sepsis survivors. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be developed to detect sepsis early and provide timely, life-saving treatment.
Improving Data and Accountability: Sepsis-related data is limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which bear 85% of the global sepsis burden. There is a need for more comprehensive and high-quality data, along with stronger accountability mechanisms for governments and other key stakeholders.
Preparedness for Future Threats: Based on the COVID-19 experience, future pandemics will increase sepsis incidence and mortality. The 120 ongoing armed conflicts globally, 362 million children in humanitarian crises, and climate change also highlight the need for better protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and military/peacekeeping personnel from increased risks of sepsis.
