Sepsis and NCDs – A Hidden Link in Global Health

🌐 Join Global Health leaders and distinguished Speakers at the UNGA80 Parallel Side Event on “Sepsis and NCDs  – A Hidden Link in Global Health.”

🔔  Registration Deadline: September 16, 2025. Please RSVP to: [email protected]

For the full Concept Note, Agenda and Registration details visit:globalsepsisalliance.org

Why Sepsis and NCDs?

Sepsis is among the leading causes of mortality, disability and healthcare expenditures worldwide, responsible for approximately 20% of all annual deaths. According to the latest estimates from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the University of Oxford, in 2021 Sepsis, as immediate or intermediate cause was related to 21 million deaths, , including 4 million deaths associated with or attributable to AMR. A reinvigorated Sepsis response is essential to accelerate progress towards health-related SDG 3 and 8 other Sustainable Development Goals.

15.8 million Sepsis cases, and 5.1 million Sepsis-related deaths annually arise from infections as complications/exacerbation of NCDs or injuries. Though, the intersection of Sepsis with non-communicable diseases is often overlooked in global health dialogues. People living with NCDs – such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses – are significantly more vulnerable to infections and, consequently, to Sepsis. At the same time, Sepsis Survivors often experience long-term sequelae, including the development or exacerbation of NCDs. This bi-directional relationship underscores the need to integrate Sepsis prevention, early detection, and management into NCD strategies and broader UHC and health system strengthening efforts.

Objectives:

This side event will spotlight the overlooked Sepsis–NCD link and mobilize coordinated, cross-sectoral action by:

  1. Reaffirming urgency of political leadership for scaling up the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to prevent 12 million new cases form Sepsis and avert 2 million avoidable deaths.
  2. Emphasizing the critical need for reinvigorated Sepsis responses at global, regional and national levels to achieve health-related SDGs – including aspirations for UHC and NCDs.
  3. Raising awareness of the clinical and policy links between Sepsis and NCDs within the context of Universal Health Coverage and SDG 3.
  4. Promoting the recognition of the NCD-Sepsis nexus and need for integration of Sepsis prevention and management in national NCD strategies and UHC packages.
  5. Discussing strategies to catalyze political leadership, funding and partnerships for the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, including scalable models that link Sepsis and NCD care,  especially in LMICs.

Target Audience:

| UN Member States and permanent missions | WHO and other UN agencies | Civil society organizations, patient groups, and health advocate | Researchers and academic | Development partners and philanthropic organizations |