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Rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous young peoplesIndigenous children and young peoples live with an inequitable burden of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. In this Review, we focus on the epidemiological burden and lived experience of these conditions for Indigenous young peoples in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. We outline the direct and indirect drivers of rheumatic heart disease risk and their mitigation.
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Formative evaluation of a community-based approach to reduce the incidence of Strep A infections and acute rheumatic feverWe explore the acceptability of a novel, outreached-based approach to improve primary and primordial prevention of Strep A skin sores, sore throats and acute rheumatic fever in remote Aboriginal communities. A comprehensive prevention program delivered by trained Aboriginal Community Workers was evaluated using approximately fortnightly household surveys about health and housing and clinical records.
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Structured review of primary interventions to reduce group A streptococcal infections, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a large, preventable, global public health burden. In New Zealand (NZ), acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD rates are highest for Māori and Pacific children. This structured review explores the evidence for primary prevention interventions to diagnose and effectively treat group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and skin infections to reduce rates of ARF and RHD.
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The economic and health burdens of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus in New ZealandIn preparation for the future arrival of a group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine, this study estimated the economic and health burdens of GAS diseases in New Zealand. The annual incidence of GAS diseases was based on extrapolation of the average number of primary healthcare episodes managed each year in general practices (2014-2016) and on the average number of hospitalizations occurring each year (2005-2014). Disease incidence was multiplied by the average cost of diagnosing and managing an episode of disease at each level of care to estimate the annual economic burden.
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Programs, Registers, and Access to CareThis chapter outlines the evidence and evolution of RHD control programs and draws conclusions about priorities following the 2018 World Health Organization Global Resolution on rheumatic fever and RHD.
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Active Case Finding for Rheumatic Fever in an Endemic CountryAsha Jonathan Bowen Carapetis AM BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Executive
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Prevalence of group A Streptococcal infection in Africa to inform GAS vaccines for rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysisThe prevalence of group A streptococcal disease remains high among symptomatic individuals residing in Africa
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Voices behind the statistics: A systematic literature review of the lived experience of rheumatic heart diseaseThis systematic review presents a critical, interpretive analysis of publications that include lived experiences of rheumatic heart disease
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Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease, 1st EditionAcute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease is a concise, yet comprehensive, clinical resource highlighting must-know information on rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever from a global perspective
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Priorities for improved management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseThe results suggest that timely injection and patient education are priorities for managing ARF and RHD, particularly focusing on child-to-adult transition care.