Rheumatic heart disease, a disease prevalent in developing
countries, is a serious problem for young Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples, according to a report released today by
the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Rheumatic heart disease: all but forgotten in Australia
except among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
shows that Indigenous Australians are 20 times more likely to die
from acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease than other
Australians.
The report includes data collected in 2002 from two rheumatic
heart disease control programs set up in the Northern Territory, in
the Top End and Central Australia respectively.
AIHW author Ms Bonnie Field says health inequalities are
highlighted within the report, with Indigenous children aged 5-14
years of age accounting for over 50% of new cases of acute
rheumatic fever in these regions. No cases were reported among
other Australian children of the same age.
'Nationally in 2001-02, Indigenous people were six to eight
times more likely to be hospitalised for acute rheumatic fever and
rheumatic heart disease,' Ms Field said.
'National hospital data also show that nearly 45% of Indigenous
people receiving heart valve surgery for these diseases are less
than 25 years of age, compared to just 4% under 25 for other
Australians.'
Ms Field says the report shows that in the regions surveyed the
incidence of acute rheumatic fever, which can lead to rheumatic
heart disease if left untreated, is much higher than recently
reported rates in other countries.
'Current estimates of acute rheumatic fever are 0.2-0.5 per
100,000 in developed countries, with a higher figure of around 100
per 100,000 among younger age groups of socially disadvantaged
populations.
'In comparison, the incidence of acute rheumatic fever among
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5-14 years in
the Top End is about 250 per 100,000 and in Central Australia about
350 per 100,000.'
Although the incidence in the Top End has remained stable over
the last 15 years, the trend in Central Australia appears to be
increasing, says Ms Field.
'Current data on acute rheumatic fever incidence are limited to
the Top End and Central Australia, and may not be representative of
all Indigenous communities in Australia. However the high rate of
this disease in these regions and the apparent increases in Central
Australia are a concern.
'Without more register-based data of similar quality it is very
hard to extrapolate regional incidence and prevalence rates to a
national scale. Nevertheless the information we have is certainly
enough to indicate the seriousness of the problem among Indigenous
Australians.'
26 August 2004
Further information: Bonnie Field, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1287 or mobile 0407 915 851.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Rheumatic heart disease: all
but forgotten in Australia except among Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples, August 2004.