AMWA at the United Nations General Assembly: Advancing Equity in NCDs and Addressing Sepsis

During the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) co-hosted two pivotal side events that spotlighted critical health issues affecting women and underserved populations worldwide.

Unseen and Undiagnosed: Advancing Equity in NCDs for Women and People with Congenital Conditions

On September 23, AMWA partnered with the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Operation Smile, and several other organizations to convene a session at the Church Center of the United Nations in New York City. The focus was the disproportionate burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on women and individuals with congenital conditions.

These groups often experience delayed diagnosis and treatment due to systemic gaps in healthcare systems and societal biases. The session aimed to raise awareness of this public health crisis and to advocate for innovative solutions and more inclusive, equitable health policies. Dr. Padmini Murthy, AMWA’s Global Health Lead and a primary co-organizer of the event, underscored the urgency of addressing gender disparities within the global NCD agenda. She highlighted the need to consider women’s unique risks, exposures, and barriers to care.

Core Goals for NCD Equity

• Improve NCD care for women and advocate for the inclusion of often-overlooked NCDs.
• Strengthen collaborative models of care.
• Ensure that every woman at every stage in her life has access to compassionate care.

Sepsis and NCDs: A Hidden Link in Global Health

On September 24, AMWA collaborated with the Global Sepsis Alliance, the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), Sepsis Alliance (US), End Sepsis, Sepsis Stiftung, and other partners to examine the intersection of sepsis and NCDs in women. The event, hosted at Northwell Health’s MEETH Corwin Hall, shed light on how individuals with chronic conditions face a heightened risk of sepsis, yet too often receive delayed or inadequate care.

Through presentations by survivors, families, and global health experts, the session underscored the urgent need for integrated care strategies and greater awareness of this silent health crisis. International and national leaders discussed current trends, advances in policy, and the vital role of communication and education. Dr. Connie Newman, MWIA Vice President of North America and UN representative and AMWA Past President, moderated a panel of strategic partners.

Challenges and Strategic Interventions

Dr. Eliza Chin highlighted the intersection of women’s NCDs and sepsis risk, pointing to socioeconomic barriers, the need for more research in women, and concerns about the maternal sepsis rates in the U.S. Additionally, the event featured perspectives on academic interventions and communication:

• Dr. Priscila Armijo spoke about the role of communication in shaping sepsis outcomes, particularly the consequences of language discordance in clinical care.
• Dr. Beverly Johnson, MWIA UN representative, led a panel on academic interventions.
• Personal stories: Ciaran Staunton spoke of his son Rory Staunton, whose untimely death spurred the passage of New York State’s mandate that all hospital develop protocols for sepsis care.

The latest edition of “Activities of MWIA and its Regions” is out now, providing further context to these global efforts to improve healthcare outcomes for women.