Proclamation
Whereas, New York State was the first in the nation to establish a statewide mandate requiring hospitals to adopt evidence-based protocols for the early recognition and treatment of patients with sepsis and septic shock, a critical medical emergency that becomes increasingly lethal with every passing moment; and
Whereas, sepsis is a systemic response to an underlying infection causing the immune system to harm healthy tissues and organs, and if left untreated, can rapidly progress and lead to death in as little as 12-24 hours; and
Whereas, particular segments of the public face heightened risks, including infants and young children, older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, those with compromised immune systems, and communities facing systemic healthcare disparities; and
Whereas, according to federal data, 350,000 people die from sepsis each year, and in the Empire State, severe cases affect approximately 73,000 adults and 600 children annually; and
Whereas, the state’s enduring commitment to proactive public health intervention includes the creation of the New York State Sepsis Care Improvement Initiative, which was launched in 2014, to identify sepsis, provide timely treatment, and reduce mortality rates, saving an estimated 16,000 lives during the first five years of this vital program; and
Whereas, the New York State Department of Health actively collects critical clinical data regarding sepsis from hospitals to track performance, establish benchmarks, and evaluate statewide trends; and
Whereas, the State of New York remains fully committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all persons, recognizing that public awareness empowers patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to identify the early warning signs of sepsis, act without delay, and preserve the health and vitality of all New Yorkers;
Now, Therefore, I, Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim September 2026, as
Sepsis Awareness Month
in the Empire State.
Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State
at the Capitol in the City of Albany this thirty-first day
of August in the year two thousand twenty-six.
Kathy Hochul, Governor
Secretary to the Governor
Karen Persichilli Keogh