RHD Action

• International
• English
• Clinician - community health worker

This manual, developed by a team of Partners in Health (PIH) clinicians led by Dr. Sachita Shah, is a concise review of bedside, clinician-performed ultrasound, with focus on specific diagnostic questions and disease processes common in the developing world.

• Australia
• English
• Communities

A potentially fatal disease considered rare in most developed countries is hitting Indigenous children at a record rate. New research shows they are three times more likely to suffer from rheumatic heart disease than non-Indigenous children.

Figures show that across Northern Australia, the disease is as widespread as it is in developing nations, if not more so. NITV News journalist Nakari Thorpe reports.

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Whose problem is this to solve?

To Close the Gap, health care will need to be delivered to at-risk children, adolescents and young people where and when they need it, social housing conditions will have to be improved to reduce overcrowding, and education programs designed to improve understanding of the disease will have to be deployed.

Clearly, we have a problem in this part of the world - the lives of thousands of young people are threatened.

But there’s also a solution - this disease is entirely preventable

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Take Heart: The Quest to Rid the World of Rheumatic Heart Disease lifts the lid on this life-threatening disease that is 100% preventable.

Rheumatic Heart Disease, or RHD, is a largely invisible disease that threatens the lives of over 30 million children and young people around the world.

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Take Heart - Stan Grant Personal Statement on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

"When you are dealing with specific issues that really do effect the indigenous community more than anyone else, and there are the issues of lack of access to resources, lack of education, lack of healthcare, often very remote communities as well. This presents yet another barrier, presents yet another obstacle, so you need to listen to the people. You need to hear what the people have to tell you. You need to involve the people themselves in the outcomes if you are really going to make a difference. All the money, all the goodwill, all the policy in the world is not going to make a difference, unless you can bring the people with you. That is absolutely paramount." Mr Stan Grant, Personal Statement on Rheumatic Heart Disease.

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• Communities

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Broken Hearts - RHD Surgery

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• New Zealand
• English
• Communities

In New Zealand, the disease is largely confined to the upper North Island. The Indigenous Maori and Pacific Islander populations are predominantly affected. Together, this group comprises almost one third of New Zealand’s youth.

As part of the new results-driven focus of the public service, the Government of New Zealand has committed to reducing the incidence of Rheumatic Fever.

The outcome is a new cross-government prevention programme designed to “stop sore throats hurting hearts”.

“New Zealand has taken the bold step of implementing a primary prevention programme.” ~ Professor Nigel Wilson

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

The best way to make sure a woman with RHD has a healthy pregnancy for her and her baby is early diagnosis and cardiac review, collaborative care and communication with family, health workers, maternity and cardiac services.

Pregnancy can provide a critical point in time to pick up previously undiagnosed RHD.

“Rheumatic heart disease may be silent. It’s very important when you’re encountering high risk individuals to think of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and to screen for it by listening to the individual’s heart. If there is a cardiac murmur, request a prompt echocardiogram. This will really help you to plan the journey of pregnancy, and to come up with the best place to deliver the baby. The highest risk women in Australia are Indigenous people, Maori Pacific Islanders and refugees.” Dr Bo Remenyi

More information on the Take Heart project can be found here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacteria (or Strep germs).

What is Strep: Group A Streptococcal Bacteria?

"The strep bug is an old bug that we've known about for a long time that causes a variety of illnesses. The ones that most people know about are sore throat. That's the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. I think most people in the world have experienced strep throat." Associate Professor Andrew Steer.

Learn more about the Take Heart Project here

• Australia
• English
• Communities

The so-called Holy Grail of RHD prevention – a Group A Strep vaccine. But this dream is proving difficult to realise.

“It’s clearly a disease which is associated with social deprivation. I don’t think anybody denies that that is the most significant factor relating to the condition. If a vaccine were shown to be effective, it would be the holy grail for finally eradicating this condition in Australia and New Zealand.” Professor John Frazer

Find out more about Take Heart 
 

• Australia
• English

Rhonda, Aboriginal Health Worker, talks about her experience with rheumatic fever as a child, and the importance of secondary prophylaxis and ongoing management in preventing rheumatic heart disease.

This resource is produced by the RHD in Pregnancy Study using the AMOSS (Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System) a national surveillance and research system designed to study a variety of rare or serious conditions in pregnancy.

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Women's journeys with RHD: Professor Sue Kruske talks about the qualitative arm of the AMOSS RHD in pregnancy study.

• Australia
• English
• Communities

Melissa Belfanti, Midwife talks of caring for a woman with undiagnosed RHD

This resource is produced by the RHD in Pregnancy Study using the AMOSS (Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System) a national surveillance and research system designed to study a variety of rare or serious conditions in pregnancy.

• Australia
• English
• People living with RF/RHD

RHD in pregnant women – it affects everyone

Where women are the main care‐givers in a family, any illness will affect the whole family and community. Women with RHD often have poorer outcomes for their babies. Sometimes that’s because the damage to the heart valves. It can also be because of anticoagulation medication that may be required if the woman has had a valve replacement or atrial fibrillation. Pregnancy provides an opportunity to help break the cycle: to provide education about rheumatic fever and RHD to build awareness of prevention and importance of treatment for mother and children.

This resource is produced by the RHD in Pregnancy Study using the AMOSS (Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System) a national surveillance and research system designed to study a variety of rare or serious conditions in pregnancy.