Queensland Health has released a new strategy for reducing the impact of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the State’s First Nations communities.
Announcing the Strategy, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath said Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease: Queensland First Nations Strategy 2021-2024, would strengthen Queensland’s response across the health system from early prevention to the care and support of those living with Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).
“RHD is serious,” Ms D’Ath said.
She said there were 3,089 patients on the Queensland Rheumatic Heart Disease Register and Control Program and 73 per cent were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, with 48 per cent based in Far North Queensland.
The Minister said young people aged from five to 14 years – particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – were at the highest risk of developing the condition.
“Without major intervention, an additional 10,212 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are predicted to experience ARF or develop RHD by 2031,” she said.
“Both RHD and ARF are preventable conditions.
“Unfortunately, Australia has some of the highest documented rates of RHD in the world, with a significant number of patients living in the north of the Queensland,” she said.
Ms D’Ath said RHD, a potentially fatal condition where a person’s heart valves had become stretched or scarred, was caused by repeated cases of ARF, an illness caused by the body’s autoimmune response to strep bacteria.
“Heart valve damage, caused by ARF and RHD is likely to require surgery,” she said.
“Untreated, RHD causes heart failure and those affected are at risk of arrhythmias, stroke, endocarditis and pregnancy complications.
“These conditions cause progressive disability, reduce quality of life and can lead to premature death,” the Minister said.
The 33-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
