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Treating trade: the case for clinical engagement with regional trade agreements

The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to grow. Although developing settings face fastest growth in incidence, no country is exempt.

Evolution, Evidence and Effect of Secondary Prophylaxis Against Rheumatic Fever

The association between group A streptococcal infection and rheumatic fever (RF) was established in the early 20th century.

The stark reality of rheumatic heart disease

This editorial refers to ‘Characteristics, complications, and gaps in evidence-based interventions in rheumatic heart disease: the Global Rheumatic Heart...

The case for global investment in rheumatic heart-disease control

The review built a case for extending simple and cost–effective measures to all countries. Had these recommendations been put into action, significant...

Ending rheumatic heart disease in Australia: the evidence for a new approach

The RHD Endgame Strategy: the blueprint to eliminate rheumatic heart disease in Australia by 2031 (the Endgame Strategy) is the blueprint to eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia by 2031. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with one of the highest per capita burdens of RHD in the world.

Subcutaneous administration of benzathine benzylpenicillin G has favourable pharmacokinetic characteristics for the prevention of rheumatic heart disease compared with intramuscular injection

Benzathine penicillin G has been used as monthly deep intramuscular (IM) injections since the 1950s for secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Injection frequency and pain are major programmatic barriers for adherence, prompting calls for development of better long-acting penicillin preparations to prevent RHD.

Contemporary Incidence and Prevalence of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia Using Linked Data: The Case for Policy Change

Jonathan Judy Alex Jeffrey Rosemary Carapetis AM Katzenellenbogen Brown Cannon Wyber AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS BSc (Occ Ther) BSc Hons (

Rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy: Profile of women admitted to a Western Australian tertiary obstetric hospital

This retrospective study assessed maternal and perinatal outcomes for women with rheumatic heart disease admitted to the largest tertiary obstetric hospital

Availability and administration of benzathine penicillin G for the prevention of rheumatic fever in Africa: Report of the Working Group on Penicillin

Benzathine penicillin G availability should be addressed and African health workers’ knowledge and practices need to be augmented

Stakeholders Want a Menu of Choices: Findings from a Consultation Workshop on Improving Access to Secondary Prophylaxis of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Intramuscular (IM) injection of benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) forms the cornerstone of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis. BPG is available as either a low-cost powdered formulation or a costlier pre-filled suspension. Most of the global RHD burden lies in low- and middle-income countries, which rely on the powdered formulation.