{
  "id": 20034237,
  "title": "Experts say Australia appears 'willing to tolerate' rheumatic heart disease",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/experts-say-australia-appears-willing-to-tolerate-rheumatic-heart",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T19:01:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-15/australia-criticised-over-indigenous-rheumatic-heart-disease/107377218"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Public health experts in Perth are set to endorse an ambitious plan to eradicate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) by 2031. While Australia has a national plan to end RHD, experts warn that only a small portion of the required funding has been committed. Cecilia Johns, who was diagnosed with RHD at 29, was shocked to learn that her heart valve was not functioning properly and was regurgitating during her first marathon training. Johns suspects her condition may have started with childhood tonsillitis or eczema sores, which can lead to acute rheumatic fever (ARF). RHD is a permanent heart valve damage caused by untreated ARF, often linked to overcrowded housing and poor hygiene. First Nations Australians make up four out of five cases and die from RHD at more than five times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians. The World Health Federation head, Jagat Narula, criticized Australia's health system, saying the usual explanation of resources is not available, as RHD is a disease of poor conditions. Aunty Vicki Wade, an associate professor at Menzies School of Health research, highlighted the poor health, housing, and education services in some Indigenous communities. Garry Jennings, the Australian Heart Foundation's chief medical advisor, emphasized the need for better screening, surveillance, and treatment of ARF in early stages. The federal government has pledged $95.8 million over six years to prevent and treat RHD, but the Endgame Strategy requires $689 million in funding. The Perth Declaration, a global plan to eliminate ARF and RHD by 2040, calls for long-term funding, improved housing, water and environmental health, support for Indigenous community-controlled organizations, and equitable access to medications and testing.",
  "summary": "Australia is criticised for being \"willing to tolerate\" some of the world's highest rates of rheumatic heart disease. Today global health leaders in Perth will endorse a bold plan to eradicate the disease by 2040.",
  "key_points": [
    "Public health experts endorse plan to eradicate RHD by 2031.",
    "Only a small portion of required $689 million funding committed.",
    "Indigenous Australians disproportionately affected by RHD."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}