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Research
Global epidemiology of valvular heart diseaseValvular heart disease is a major contributor to loss of physical function, quality of life and longevity. The epidemiology of VHD varies substantially around the world, with a predominance of functional and degenerative disease in high-income countries, and a predominance of rheumatic heart disease in low-income and middle-income countries. Reflecting this distribution, rheumatic heart disease remains by far the most common manifestation of VHD worldwide and affects approximately 41 million people.
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Time to address the neglected burden of group A StreptococcusJonathan Carapetis AM AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS Executive Director; Co-Head, Strep A Translation; Co-Founder of REACH 08 6319 1000 contact@
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How many doses make a difference? An analysis of secondary prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseincreased adherence to penicillin prophylaxis is associated with reduced acute rheumatic fever recurrence and a likely reduction in mortality
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Screening for rheumatic heart disease: Quality and agreement of focused cardiac ultrasound by briefly trained health workersAfter brief training, health workers with no prior experience in echocardiography can obtain adequate quality images and make a reliable assessment
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Status of research and development of vaccines for Streptococcus pyogenesVaccines against Streptococcus pyogenes are considered as impeded vaccines because of a number of crucial barriers to development

News & Events
Urgent action needed to stop 500 preventable deathsA new report predicts rheumatic heart disease (RHD) will lead to over 500 preventable deaths and cost the Australian health system $317 million by 2031 if no further action to tackle the disease is taken.

News & Events
Bupa pledges half a million dollars to end rheumatic heart diseaseResearchers will extend a unique community-led project to end rheumatic heart disease in Aboriginal communities, thanks to nearly half a million dollars in funding from Bupa.

News & Events
RHD a notifiable conditionWestern Australian doctors are now required by law to report all cases of rheumatic heart disease.
Research
Improving primary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with rheumatic heart disease: What can I do?Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, with devastating impacts on morbidity, mortality and community wellbeing. Research suggests that general practitioners and primary care staff perceive insurmountable barriers to improving clinical outcomes, including the need for systemic change outside their scope of practice.
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Housing Initiatives to Address Strep A Infections and Reduce RHD Risks in Remote Indigenous Communities in AustraliaAsha Rosemary Bowen Wyber BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM MBChB MPH FRACGP PhD Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Senior Research Fellow