Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013) Rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in Australia: 1996-2012, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 09 June 2023.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2013). Rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in Australia: 1996-2012. Canberra: AIHW.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in Australia: 1996-2012. AIHW, 2013.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in Australia: 1996-2012. Canberra: AIHW; 2013.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013, Rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in Australia: 1996-2012, AIHW, Canberra.
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This report examines and presents a range of data on acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia. It shows that ARF now occurs almost exclusively in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and that the prevalence of RHD is much higher among Indigenous people than other Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also considerably more likely to be hospitalised with ARF or RHD, and to die from RHD.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is rare in most developed countries, but rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are among the highest in the world based on available data. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which can be prevented by adequate treatment of ARF, also occurs at very high rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In 2009, the Australian Government's Rheumatic Fever Strategy was established to improve detection, monitoring and management of ARF and RHD through register-based control programs in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.
Data on the jurisdictional incidence of ARF and prevalence of RHD come from the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian Rheumatic Heart Disease registers. It is not possible to directly compare these data as the registers are at different stages of establishment and coverage.
Preliminary material: Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Symbols
Appendix A: Detailed statistical tables Appendix B: National data sources Appendix C: Data and statistical methods Appendix D: Diagnosis Guidelines
End matter: Glossary; References; List of tables; List of figures
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