Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are real and urgent problems for Kiwi kids
We're already investing in research to fight acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) - but we need your help...
Cure Kids report on the State of Child Health in Aotearoa New Zealand has revealed...
Over the past 5 years, there have been, on average, 200 hospitalisations per year for ARF or RHD in people younger than 20 years. And nearly 3,000 children aged 0–19 years have been hospitalised with ARF in New Zealand since 2000.
RHD is irreversible, and as it progresses it can require cardiac surgery, and increase the risk of premature death. Rates of both ARF and RHD in New Zealand are among the highest reported in developed countries around the world.
“We have to get monthly injections and those are really, really sore. Like, is there any way we can make it not so sore and scary?” - Miare, Cook Islands
Researchers are already working on a range of approaches to combat this disease, but there’s more to do. Help us invest in the big research questions that are preventing our children from living their best lives.