Despite being preventable, Australia has some of the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) worldwide.

It disproportionately affects First Nations communities and children between the ages of 5 and 14.

RHD takes the lives of 2 young First Nations people each week and costs $27 million in open-heart surgeries and medical care per year.

Queensland Health's Partnerships team is working with several Queensland Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) and their First Nation communities to develop tailored RHD resources localised for each region and their needs. We hope you use these resources to raise awareness and deepen understanding of how to prevent ARF and RHD.

Share resources with your community

These resources have been designed with local First Nation voices and health staff to be culturally relevant and tailored to each region. You can share them with your community to empower people and their healthcare providers to discuss RHD openly.

The resources are designed for 3 key groups:

  • Clinicians and health workers: how to recognise symptoms and provide the right treatment and pathways
  • First Nations families and community: advice on recognising Strep A and acute rheumatic fever (ARF), managing symptoms and when to seek care
  • First Nations people living with RHD: support to manage your condition and access care

Contact and feedback

If you have questions or comments about the RHD community resources, please contact the Queensland Health Partnerships team at engagement@health.qld.gov.au.

For health professionals wanting to know more about ARF and RHD, or needing support recognising and managing ARF or RHD, please contact the Queensland Health Rheumatic Heart Disease Program at qldrhdprogram@health.qld.gov.au.

Newsroom

Last updated: 25 September 2025