WORLD HEART FEDERATION LAUNCHES GLOBAL RHD CENTREThe World Heart Federation has launched a global centre of excellence for the control of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). “The global centre of excellence in RHD Control is a web-based resource primarily for clinicians, health practitioners and policy-makers in developing countries where the disease is still common,” said Professor Sidney Smith, Chairman of the World Heart Federation’s Scientific Advisory Board. “Anyone with access to the Internet can download the latest guidelines, educational and training materials, ask questions and submit their own materials. It is an invaluable resource for developing countries and is a model for how health information should be presented for any disease.” Some of the training resources and training materials are already available online at: www.worldheart.org/about-sab-councils-acute-rheumatic-fever RHD affects the youngRheumatic fever (RF) can develop after an infection by the group A streptococcus bacterium. The resulting inflammatory illness, called rheumatic heart disease, can damage heart valves, leading to disability or death. RF strikes an estimated 500,000 people per year. The number of people living with RHD is estimated at 15.5 million to 19.6 million, of whom more than 3 million are estimated to be children. RHD kills up to 300,000 people per year.1 Over the last 150 years, the developed world has seen a steady decline in the incidence of RF and RHD through improved living conditions and the widespread use of penicillin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. However, developing countries continue to face unacceptably high rates, making RHD the most common cardiovascular disease affecting children and young adults.2 World Heart Federation leads control effortThe World Heart Federation is a leader in the effort to reduce RF and RHD. It has been concentrating its effort in one of the regions of greatest prevalence: the South Pacific Islands. Its three-year programme, which began last year, has several components:
Progress has been rapid. In Fiji, screening of school children and local and regional training workshops have begun, and all known cases of rheumatic heart disease have been registered. In Samoa, the active programme has just commenced. “The World Heart Federation programme is saving lives and significantly improving the health of many people in the South Pacific Island region,” said Dr Carapetis, Chairman of the World Heart Federation’s Scientific Council on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease. Said Professor Smith, “It’s not enough to train health workers and to identify and treat patients. We will also advocate for guaranteed supplies of high-quality antibiotics and for rheumatic heart disease to be recognized as an international clinical, public health and political priority.” Lessons learned from controlling RHD in Fiji, Samoa and other islands will be applied in Africa. The programme is made possible through the generosity of the Vodafone Group Foundation and the State of Geneva Solidarity Fund. 1 Heartbeat, September 2004, Carapetis J, Chairman, World Heart Federation Council on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
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