Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are preventable diseases disproportionately affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people living in regional and remote areas. Prevalence rates were highest in women and children. This report provides an update on epidemiology and trends relating to ARF and RHD, and reports on the management and treatment of patients with a diagnosis of ARF and/or RHD.
- Cat. no: CVD 100
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10,349 people were living with ARF and/or RHD in NSW, Qld, WA, SA, or the NT as at 31 December 2022
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272 new RHD diagnoses were made among First Nations people in Qld, WA, SA, and the NT in 2022
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Among First Nations people, the ARF diagnosis rate was highest among those aged 5–14
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1 in 4 First Nations people in Qld, WA, SA and NT prescribed BPG received at least 80% of their prescribed doses in 2022