We need to close the gap.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people live with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at rates 60 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians
About RHD

Together, we can end rheumatic heart disease in Australia.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is permanent heart damage, resulting from a throat or skin infection caused by Strep A bacteria. If not managed properly, it can cause heart failure, death and disability.

Most people with RHD live in developing countries, however Australia has some of the highest rates of the disease in the world – occurring almost exclusively in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In a country like Australia, rheumatic heart disease shouldn’t exist. Yet it does – taking lives, and causing disability to some of our most vulnerable.

From all walks of life, we’re uniting, committing to one thing: ending rheumatic heart disease. Will you help?

 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people are living with ARF or RHD

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people are predicted to develop RHD or ARF by 2031

Average age of death of Aboriginal people dying with RHD

5 Priorities to end rheumatic heart disease in Australia

These priorities are a starting point for the actions needed to eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Leadership

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander leadership

Community-based programs

Healthy environments

Early prevention

Care and support

Our Stories

Billi-Joh’s story: diagnosed with RHD aged eight

Billi-Joh’s story: diagnosed with RHD aged eight

Meet Billi-Joh. She's 15 years old, and lives in a remote Aboriginal community at the top of Western Australia. Like many teenagers, her mum says that she's still finding her place in the world. What sets her apart from her peers is that she is navigating the ups and...

Carol’s Story: Losing A Parent To RHD

Carol’s Story: Losing A Parent To RHD

Carol Michie’s mother Elizabeth was one of eight siblings born on East Arrernte (Aranda) land, near Alice Springs. After being diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease at ten, Elizabeth had to leave country and her family for a large chunk of her childhood so she could...