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Research

Rheumatic Heart Disease in Pregnancy: New Strategies for an Old Disease?

RHD in pregnancy (RHD-P) is associated with an increased burden of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. A sequellae of rheumatic fever resulting in heart valve damage if untreated, RHD is twice as common in women. In providing an historical overview, this commentary provides context for prevention and treatment in the 21 st century. Four underlying themes inform much of the literature on RHD-P: its association with inequities; often-complex care requirements; demands for integrated care models, and a life-course approach.

Research

Caring for Pregnant Women with Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study of Health Service Provider Perspectives

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) persists in low-middle-income countries and in high-income countries where there are health inequities. RHD in pregnancy (RHD-P) is associated with poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes. Our study examines models of care for women with RHD-P from the perspectives of health care providers.

Research

A community-based program to reduce acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in northern Australia

In Australia’s north, Aboriginal peoples live with world-high rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its precursor, acute rheumatic fever (ARF); driven by social and environmental determinants of health. We undertook a program of work to strengthen RHD primordial and primary prevention using a model addressing six domains: housing and environmental support, community awareness and empowerment, health literacy, health and education service integration, health navigation and health provider education.

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Environmental and social determinants of acute rheumatic fever: a longitudinal cohort study

Prevention strategies in ARF endemic settings may be enhanced by targeting new members entering a community and children in environments of close contact

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Dysregulated IL-1β-GM-CSF Axis in Acute Rheumatic Fever That Is Limited by Hydroxychloroquine

We propose that hydroxychloroquine could be repurposed to reduce the risk of rheumatic heart disease after acute rheumatic fever

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Understanding group A streptococcal pharyngitis and skin infections as causes of rheumatic fever: Protocol for a prospective disease incidence study

This study will identify the incidence of true Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis and serological responses to Group A Streptococcal GAS skin infections

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Community-based participatory action research on rheumatic heart disease in an Australian Aboriginal homeland: Evaluation of the ‘On track watch’ project

Based in 'both-way learning', the aim of this study was to co-design, implement and evaluate community-based participatory action research to achieve this vision

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The second rheumatic heart disease forum report

Building on the foundation of the first RHD forum, over 150 interested participants met to discuss critical issues on the RHD landscape.

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Group A Streptococcal Diseases and Their Global Burden

We review GAS transmission characteristics and prevention strategies, historical and geographical trends and report on the estimated global burden disease...

Research

Rheumatic Fever Follow-Up Study (RhFFUS) protocol: A cohort study investigating the significance of minor

In Australia, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is almost exclusively restricted to Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander people with children being...