Sepsis awareness in the U.S. has hit an all-time high of 75%, according to Sepsis Alliance's 2025 survey. This marks significant progress in public education, while exposing persistent disparities across racial, economic, and generational lines.
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Sepsis awareness among U.S. adults has reached an all-time high, with 75% of Americans now reporting familiarity with the term "sepsis," according to the 2025 Sepsis Alliance Awareness Survey. This milestone represents a dramatic increase from just 19% when the survey was first conducted in 2003 and a significant jump from 69% in 2024.
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body's response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. The leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, sepsis is also the number one cost of hospitalization in the U.S. at an estimated $62 billion annually. For every hour that treatment is delayed, the risk of mortality increases 4-9%, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and treatment, and why sepsis awareness is so important. Sepsis Alliance is the nation's first and leading sepsis organization, working to create a more "sepsis-safe" world by educating the public, healthcare professionals, policy makers, and advocates to work together toward advancing diagnosis, treatment, and care.
The annual survey, conducted by Sepsis Alliance, reveals continued progress in public health education and outreach, and also highlights important disparities. Awareness is significantly higher among white adults, with 84% of adults who identify as white noting they are aware of the term sepsis, compared to 60% of adults who identify as Black and 56% of adults who identify as Hispanic. Baby Boomers (aged 61-79) had the highest awareness of sepsis at 82%, followed by Gen X (45-60) at 77%, Millennials (29-44) at 73%, and Gen-Z (18-28) at 66%. Finally, 84% of adults with higher household income ($80K or more) were aware of the term sepsis, while only 68% of adults in households making under $40K annually knew the term sepsis, and 88% of adults with a post-graduate education knew the term sepsis, compared to only 64% of adults with a high school education or less. These differences underscore the need for more prioritized outreach in underserved communities.
"This year's results show that our collective efforts are making a difference," said Thomas Heymann, President and CEO of Sepsis Alliance. "But we can't stop here. The gaps in awareness signal that we must continue working to ensure every person, regardless of background, has access to critical information that can save lives."
The survey also sheds light on public health behaviors and trust. Personal healthcare professionals remain the most trusted source of health information, with 89% of adults relying on them, followed by personal connections (79%) and non-profit organizations (64%). Social media was ranked the least trustworthy source of information on the survey, with only 17% of U.S. adults trusting social media for information regarding their health, and 83% specifically marking that they do not trust social media.
When asked what U.S. adults have done in the past 12 months for their personal health, 67% of respondents reported a visit to a healthcare provider in the past year. Yet only 41% say they received a vaccination, highlighting ongoing opportunities to improve public engagement in infection and sepsis prevention.
Finally, Sepsis Alliance, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was interested in identifying what factors contribute to U.S. adults having confidence in a non-profit organization. Just over half (54%) agreed that a clear mission/vision inspires confidence. Being recognized by a reputable source (44%) and being supported by a personal connection (40%) were the next two biggest factors that inspire confidence in a non-profit organization.
This record-breaking awareness number is a testament to the work of Sepsis Alliance and sepsis advocates nationwide. Now is not the time to slow down. Sepsis Alliance is pleased to announce that Sepsis Alliance Institute, the free, virtual learning platform for healthcare professionals, has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Sepsis Alliance Institute, which has already trained more than 60,000 healthcare professionals, is now able to offer continuing education credits to physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, in addition to the RN CE credits that have been available since the platform's launch in 2019.
In addition to this updated offering for healthcare professionals, Sepsis Alliance will continue to provide new and updated free resources for the public, aiming to increase sepsis awareness and empower advocates to raise sepsis awareness in their communities.
Sepsis awareness reaching 75% is an exciting milestone for the millions that have been touched by sepsis, many of whom first heard the word "sepsis" while in the hospital. Together, survivors, loved ones, advocates, healthcare professionals, industry members, and organizations can continue sounding the alarm, so more people know sepsis, and more people survive sepsis.
Learn more about sepsis and Sepsis Alliance at sepsis.org.
NOTE: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,198 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25th - 27th June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).
ABOUT SEPSIS ALLIANCE
Sepsis Alliance, a leading patient advocacy organization, is saving lives and reducing suffering by improving sepsis awareness and care. Through Sepsis.org, Sepsis Alliance Institute, Sepsis Alliance Voices, and Sepsis Alliance Connect, Sepsis Alliance is providing healthcare professionals, the general public, and those touched by sepsis with the education, support, and advocacy to save lives and limbs. Sepsis Alliance is enacting and influencing positive change for the 1.7 million people diagnosed with sepsis each year including the 350,000 adults and 6,800 children who die in the U.S. Infection prevention is sepsis prevention™. For more information on Sepsis Alliance, a GuideStar Platinum Rated and Charity Navigator Four-Star rated 501(c)3 charity, visit Sepsis.org.
Media Contact
Alexandria Colvin, Sepsis Alliance, 1 6192320300, [email protected], www.sepsis.org
SOURCE Sepsis Alliance
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