WA Rheumatic Heart Disease Strategic Framework Survey

Overview

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is an abnormal immune response to an infection caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. ARF can progress to Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), which can permanently damage the heart valves and lead to long-term heart problems. RHD is a preventable disease that mainly affects Aboriginal people in Western Australia (WA). 

The Australian Government supports register-based programs, which has improved detection, monitoring and managing ARF and RHD. The WA RHD Register began operating in 2009, and the reporting of all known ARF and RHD cases became mandatory in WA from June 2015. While this registry-based control program has supported efforts to reduce the burden of RHD, there is opportunity to improve this program.

To meet the important public health challenges of ARF and RHD, a WA Rheumatic Heart Disease Strategic Framework is needed. A Strategic Framework will guide the clinicians, researchers and communities towards a shared path to prevent and eliminate ARF and RHD.  

Feedback invited

A survey has been prepared to hear your views on the objectives of the WA Rheumatic Heart Disease Strategic Framework, which is currently under development. The survey questions are based on the five priority action areas in The RHD Endgame Strategy:

1. Aboriginal Leadership
2. Community-based Programs
3. Healthy Environments
4. Early Prevention
5. Care and Support

You are invited to provide feedback by completing the online survey. You are also invited to send this survey link to anyone that you feel may be interested in ARF or RHD. We value your feedback and appreciate the time you are taking to complete this survey.

Written submissions can also be sent to:

Email: RHD.Framework@health.wa.gov.au

The closing date for this survey is Saturday 10 January 2026.

Why your views matter

Your feedback forms part of a public consultation process and the Department of Health may quote your comments in future publications.

You can choose to keep your response confidential if you do not want your response to be included in excerpts or direct quotes. If you choose to keep your response confidential, your submission will still be considered as part of the consultation process and your responses will be included in unidentified summary information.

Please do not include any personal or confidential information that you may not want to become publicly available through a Freedom of Information request.