Rheumatic heart disease affects children and young people living in conditions of poverty and overcrowding. Practically eliminated in wealthy countries, it is still common in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Thirty two million people around the world suffer from the condition, which kills hundreds of thousands of people a year and is the most common acquired heart disease among children and young people in developing countries. RHD is preventable. The RHD Action movement is united to end the burden of RHD worldwide.