Get Ahead of Sepsis

archive.cdc.gov

CDC educational initiative launched 31 August 2017, ahead of Sepsis Awareness Month, urging early recognition and timely treatment of sepsis and prevention of the infections that cause it. Aimed at both the public and health care professionals.

Years: 2017–now
Country: United States
Budget: USD 5,469,314 task order 'Communications campaigns for sepsis and antibiotic resistance', Jul 2016-Jul 2018, plus USD 5,378,257 'Communication support for antibiotic use and sepsis', Aug 2018-Aug 2020, both to ICF Macro (USAspending); shared with CDC's antibiotic-use campaign
Topic: Infectious disease
Asks people to: Recognize Seek help
Strategy: Simple instruction
Channel: Clinical setting Print Radio Social (organic)TV
Audience: Clinicians General public

Evidence

Self-reportedUnknown

CDC reports 376+ million people reached via 7 PSAs between Aug 2017 and June 2023. No outcome evaluation found.

Sponsor (who paid)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Federal government, funder and creator

Credits (who made it)

ICF Next (ICF Macro) Creative, 2016-2020 source

Related campaigns

Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2002–now
Be Antibiotics Aware 2017–now

Sources

CDC urges early recognition, prompt treatment of sepsis (press release, 31 Aug 2017) sponsor · 2017
CDC Get Ahead of Sepsis slide deck with reach figures sponsor
CDC Launches Sepsis Campaign (OH&S) news · 2017

Research notes

Taxonomy gap: sepsis/antimicrobial topics fall under 'infectious-disease'. Meta Ad Library / Google Ads Transparency Center: search advertiser 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)' (Meta page 'CDC'). Credited 2026-10-22 from contract records (procurement pass): the award names sepsis campaigns, CDC, and the 2017 launch falls inside it. Earlier lead text: CDC order HHSD2002016F90343 to ICF Macro, 'Communications campaigns for sepsis and antibiotic resistance', July 2016-July 2018 (https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_HHSD2002016F90343_7523_HHSD2002015M88159B_7523), covers the campaign's launch period; no page names ICF for Get Ahead of Sepsis. Second task order: 75D30118F01740, 'Communication support for antibiotic use and sepsis', 2018-2020 (https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_75D30118F01740_7523_HHSD2002015M88159B_7523). Both orders also fund Be Antibiotics Aware, which ICF's own case page credits; no ICF page names Get Ahead of Sepsis, so the creative role rests on the contract title. Reuse terms checked 2026-10-23 by an AI research pass for #47; not yet reviewed by a person.

Record cases/cdc-get-ahead-of-sepsis.json, updated 2026-10-23· Link to this campaign