Australia has one of the highest reported rates of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the world.
Globally, there are at least 15.6 million people with RHD, and annually, over 230 000 people die from the disease. It is estimated that there are another 1.9 million people who have had ARF and 470 000 new cases are diagnosed every year. These figures are likely to be an underestimate of the true global burden of the disease.
Some of the highest rates of ARF and RHD in the world are found among Indigenous Australians (particularly across central and northern Australia), New Zealand Māori, and other Pacific Island populations. The prevalence of RHD is also high in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Northern Africa.
In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are up to eight times more likely than other Australians to be hospitalised, and nearly 20 times more likely to die from this disease.
ARF can develop after an immunological response to group A streptococcal (Strep A) infection. If not diagnosed and treated, ARF can lead to permanent heart valve damage, a condition known as RHD. Community rates of ARF and RHD are known to reduce with improved housing, decreased household crowding, and access to appropriate health services and antibiotics to treat group A streptococcal infections and prevent recurrent ARF.
RHD is the most common worldwide cause of heart-related death in children and adults aged under 40 years. However, through simple and cost-effective strategies, RHD and associated deaths can be prevented.
Menzies researchers work with high-risk populations across Australia and the Pacific region to better understand and manage the factors that drive ARF and RHD.
Our research focus:
To test whether a model of care designed to optimise health systems and community resources improves adherence to secondary prophylaxis for ARF
To understand why ARF progresses to RHD in some people. Many people will experience group A streptococcus infections but only some will develop RHD. Launched in 2012, RHD Genetics is a collaborative study investigating the role genetics plays in the presence and progression of ARF and RHD
To develop a sustainable model of detecting RHD by training local non-expert practitioners using echo-screening in remote health clinics in northern Australia and Timor-Leste. This study will provide guidance for other communities and remote health clinics, providing information on what may help and what may hinder implementation.
To determine the impact a diagnosis of RHD has on the lives of young people living in communities
To quantify the level of heart inflammation in First Nations people diagnosed with AFT and RHD
To provide an evidence base on which to improve clinical care and health outcomes for women with RHD in pregnancy and for their babies
To find markers in the blood that can be used to rapidly and accurately diagnose ARF, so that people can receive treatment as soon as possible
Supporting RHD Guideline updates in Australia and Timor-Leste
To provide direct program support and conduct research under the World Heart Federation RHD Pacific and International Program, including:
RHD genetics study in Fiji and New Caledonia
A BPG adherence study in Fiji
A cost analysis of burden of RHD in New Caledonia and Fiji
An evaluation of the ASAP RHD program in South Africa and Ethiopia
Development of an RHD train the trainer module for international and regional Pacific use
Collaboration and sharing of resources with many other countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
RHD Guidelines:
The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart, and associated resources (including the e-learning modules, and ARF/RHD diagnosis/calculator application), are maintained at Menzies School of Health Research. These resources are freely available via https://www.rhdaustralia.org.au/
The Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
The Non-Expert Acquisition and Remote Expert Review of Screening echocardiography images from Child health and AnteNatal clinics (NEARER SCAN/LENO BESIK) study - MRFF Cardiovascular health Grant
Social and Emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart disease: Beyond the physical scars
Searching for a Technology-Driven Acute Rheumatic Fever Test' (START)
Acute Rheumatic Fever Diagnosis Collaborative (ARC) study
AIRHD: Artificial Intelligence for automated echocardiography screening of Rheumatic Heart Disease in remote communities: development and clinical evaluation.
Quantifying myocardial inflammation in acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
A suite of resources based on the 2020 Australian guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and management of ARF and RHD (3rd edition) are available at the RHDAustralia website, including professional e-learning modules and smartphone applications.
A report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has shown that the burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to grow in Australia.
Did you know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at rates 60 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians? RHD is permanent heart damage, resulting from a throat or skin infection caused by Group A...
THE mayor of a remote Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land has said the town’s children “don’t have a future” unless governments boost their investment in tackling the social determinants driving one of the world’s highest rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
The high burden of rheumatic heart disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires more active case finding and echocardiographic screening to detect undiagnosed cases, according to Australian experts
Health experts from across Australia and New Zealand have teamed up with cultural advisors to address what they say is the greatest cardiovascular inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Menzies School of Health Research senior research fellow Josh Francis said there was positive news when it came to RHD “in the sense that there’s a really good plan coming together”.
The song debuted at the Barunga Festival, after a collaboration between Skinnyfish Music, the Bupa Health Foundation, Telethon Kids and the Menzies School of Health Research.
When researchers from Menzies School of Health Research starting working with us on rheumatic heart disease, we explained that the children needed better nutrition.
The Northern Territory is home to some of the highest known rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world, but the transient nature of the region's medical practitioners could be hindering the fight to stop it.
In a remote Indigenous community of 3,000 people, researchers have discovered the highest known rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world, where children as young as four have died from the entirely preventable condition.
Health activities driven by remote Indigenous communities may be key to the sustainable and successful treatment and prevention of a potentially fatal disease, a study has found.
Menzies is investing and developing expertise in the emerging research area of genome sequencing. In the past year, we took the lead in a number of national and international collaborative programs investigating the genomics of tropical pathogens, and...
The Timorese Ministry of Health is designing a prevention and diagnosis plan, part of the Family Health program, to combat rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, the ministry's minister announced today.
Research by Australian cardiologists has found the rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Timor-Leste are among the highest in the world. The landmark study was published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
A push for more awareness around the effects of rheumatic heart disease on pregnancy has led to a film developed, written, and directed by Australian Indigenous women.
Australian doctors are working with East Timorese health workers to screen and treat children and young people with the illness, using methods similar to those used in Australia.
The Australian Medical Association has singled out a preventable disease caused by impoverished living conditions and untreated infections as Australia's "national failure".
RHDAustralia will launch 15 new ‘clinician e-learning modules’ at a seminar in Darwin as part of Australia’s Rheumatic Fever Strategy to tackle the world’s highest recorded rate of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
RHDAustralia will host a free seminar in Cairns tonight as part of Australia’s Rheumatic Fever Strategy to reduce the world’s highest recorded rate of acute rheumatic fever.
200 international leading experts and advocates for rheumatic heart disease will converge at the 3rd Global Rheumatic Heart Disease Forum in Melbourne next week.
A leading paediatric cardiologist has emphasised the need to prevent RHD in Indigenous children to avoid premature death, cardiac surgery and stroke to allow them to live a fulfilling life.
Experts from around the country will meet in Darwin today at the RHD Australia Conference 2013: Practice and Culture to strengthen Australia’s fight to prevent rheumatic heart disease.
RHD Australia will mark World Heart Day on 29 September by reminding people that rheumatic heart disease is preventable. Diagnosed at the age of seven, Carlisa Willika from the Werenbun community north of Katherine in the Northern Territory has lived with rheumatic heart disease for five years.