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Tackling rheumatic heart disease in the Pacific together

With Pacific leaders at the helm, we can combat the causes and effects of this deadly disease to save lives, improve available resources, and reduce inequitable suffering.

Our vision for the Hub

An enduring Pacific-led collaboration centre for the RHD control agenda which combines Pacific culture, local knowledge, and technical support; and which enshrines the sovereignty of Pacific Peoples to contribute to addressing the inequitable burden of RHD across the Pacific.

THE PACIFIC RHD PROGRAM

We are establishing the foundations of an effective, sustainable and equitable response to RHD in the Pacific.

Impact of RHD in the Pacific

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1 - 3%

of people in the Pacific are estimated to have RHD & its precursor, acute rheumatic fever (ARF)

This is a similar magnitude to marginalised Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander communities and sub-Saharan Africa.

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1 in 3

overseas medical transfers from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands are for RHD surgeries

Advanced heart disease requiring open heart surgery is common due to limited diagnostic capacity and access to RHD treatment.

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100%

of RHD cases are preventable
 

But the inequitable disease burden in the Pacific is leading to too many premature deaths of people in young adulthood, causing profound loss and trauma for families and communities.

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What is RHD?

RHD is a chronic non-communicable disease which develops from late childhood to early adulthood. The disease is a complication of Strep A infection, leading to damaged heart valves, heart failure and early death.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is one of the leading forms of preventable heart disease across the Pacific region.

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