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The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation.

Citation:
Stacey I, Ralph A, de Dassel J, …….. Katzenellenbogen J. The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact. Aust New Zealand J Public Health. 2023;47(4)

Keywords:
Acute rheumatic fever; cardiovascular epidemiology; control programs; disease progression; indigenous health; rheumatic heart disease

Abstract:
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation.