Diagnoses of acute rheumatic fever are more common in remote areas

In 2022:

  • the rate of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) diagnoses among First Nations people increased as remoteness increased (Figure 2.3; Supplementary Table 2.5)
  • The Northern Territory had the highest rate of diagnoses per 100,000 population for all Australians (Supplementary Table 2.4b) followed by Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales (Figure 2.4; Supplementary Table 2.4a). A similar order was found among First Nations people, except the diagnosis rate was slightly higher in South Australia than in Queensland.

Figure 2.3: Percent of ARF diagnoses among First Nations people, by remoteness, 2022

A target chart showing the relative proportion of ARF diagnoses by remoteness with most cases being remote.

Chart: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.

Figure 2.4: Rate of ARF diagnoses (per 100,000 people) among First Nations people, by state or territory, 2022

A map showing the lowest rate and number are in NSW and the highest rate and number are in the Northern Territory.

Map: AIHW. Source: AIHW analysis of National Rheumatic Heart Disease Data Collection.

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