First Nations Rheumatic Heart Disease Action Plan 2025 – 2027
In September 2025, Population Health Division together with the First Nations Health Office launched the First Nations Rheumatic Heart Disease Action Plan 2025–2027 (PDF 2583 kB).
Developed in consultation with key stakeholders including First Nations peoples and organisations, the Action Plan will guide efforts over the next 3 years to prevent new cases of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in Queensland and improve health outcomes for people living with the disease.
The Action Plan builds on the foundations of the Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease: Queensland First Nations Strategy 2021- 2024 (PDF 1624 kB) and is informed by the RHD Endgame Strategy, Australia’s strategy for eliminating RHD in Australia by 2031.
The Action Plan sets a clear goal to reduce incidence and recurrence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and incidence of RHD, focusing actions under 6 priority areas:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership
- Community based programs
- Healthy environments
- Early prevention
- Care and support
- Structural systems and support.
Each action has a proposed timeframe for completion, and delivering on these actions will be a collective effort across the Department of Health, Hospital and Health Services, other government agencies and alongside important partners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisations. In areas with a high burden of disease, the Action Plan will be supported by locally developed action plans to identify local priorities and coordinate services, programs and initiatives for the prevention and management of ARF and RHD.
Queensland Health is committed to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Queenslanders alongside our partners, across government and sectors.
Take action to end RHD
It is acknowledged that ARF and RHD also disproportionately affect the Māori, Pacific Islander and refugee population of Queensland. While the Action Plan is focused on First Nations peoples, it is anticipated activities will improve health outcomes for all those impacted by ARF and RHD.