Media release: Monday, 3 August 2026
100 days to go: Preventable rheumatic heart disease remains a national challenge as global congress nears
Heart Foundation renews call to end rheumatic heart disease ahead of upcoming World Congress on Rheumatic Heart Disease in Perth
With 100 days until the 2026 World Congress on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in Perth, the Heart Foundation is today calling for urgent action to end a disease that is entirely preventable yet continues to affect thousands of people across Australia.
RHD is a preventable disease driven by inequity. The condition is caused by damage to the heart following an illness called acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF and RHD disproportionately affect First Nations peoples, particularly those living in regional and remote communities.*
In Australia, almost 12,000 people are living with RHD or have a history of ARF. More than 90 per cent of ARF diagnoses occur in First Nations people, with the highest rates seen among First Nations children aged 5-14 years.*
The World Congress on RHD, only the second event of its kind, is a World Heart Federation event and will be hosted by the National Heart Foundation of Australia in Perth from 11 to 14 November 2026. The Congress will bring together researchers, practitioners, advocates and people with lived experience from around the world,united by a shared commitment to end the global burden of RHD.
While First Nations communities continue to lead efforts to end RHD, achieving this goal also requires action on the upstream conditions that drive the disease.
This includes investment in:
- healthy housing
- environmental health
- action to reduce the negative impacts of household crowding
- access to washing facilities and place-based prevention
- access to culturally safe healthcare and community-led solutions
- And antibiotic programs to treat and prevent streptococcal infections
Le Smith, National Manager Health and Wellbeing at the Heart Foundation, said the 100-day milestone ahead of the international meeting of the minds should serve as a call to action.
"Rheumatic heart disease is a disease that should no longer exist in Australia. We know how to prevent it, we know how to treat it, and we know what is needed to end it."
What we need now is sustained commitment and investment to make that happen.
While rheumatic heart disease is now rarely seen in many high-income countries, it continues to affect First Nations communities in Australia.
Le Smith
National Manager Health & Wellbeing
Ms Smith highlighted the importance of addressing these barriers, stating: "Every diagnosis represents a missed opportunity for prevention, and a reminder that too many people still face barriers to timely and culturally appropriate healthcare, safe housing and essential services."
"No child in Australia should be at risk of a disease we have the knowledge and tools to stop."
Ms Smith said the Heart Foundation would continue to advocate for an end to RHD and use the World Congress as an opportunity to help champion change.
