The Western Australian Government a new strategic framework which sets out a shared vision to eliminate new cases of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in WA by 2036, through Aboriginal-led prevention, equitable care and collaboration.
The WA Rheumatic Heart Disease Strategic Framework 2026-2036 is the result of "extensive" consultation and included insight and expertise from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, health service providers, researchers, government agencies, and community representatives, the government said on Friday.
The framework provides a guide for health professionals, researchers, and communities to drive "meaningful and sustainable" change in relation to RHD, a preventable condition caused by an abnormal immune reaction to Group A Streptococcus infections.
Aboriginal people continue to experience the greatest impact of RHD. However, early detection, Aboriginal leadership, and community-led prevention programs have shown great success in preventing RHD.
The WA Government's Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Spotlight Program provides up to $25 million over five years to back WA researchers, health professionals, community organisations, and other partners to design and deliver a coordinated, statewide response to RHD.
The framework aims to support the FHRI Fund Spotlight Program recipients to plan and deliver their initiatives.
Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia Chair Vicki O'Donnell said eliminating RHD requires genuine partnership with Aboriginal communities and leaders.
"This framework provides a strong foundation for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to continue leading culturally safe, community-led action to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people," she said.
Health and Preventative Health Minister Meredith Hammat noted that RHD remains "one of our most significant yet preventable public health challenges, with its impact felt deeply across the state".
"Too many Western Australians continue to live with the long-term consequences of a disease that should no longer occur," she said.
"This framework is designed to close the gap in RHD outcomes for Aboriginal people, ensuring every person regardless of where they live has access to the health care they need."
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the state government is stepping up to the challenge in working to end this disease in WA.
"Through the FHRI Fund Spotlight Program, the Cook Labor Government is bringing together world-class expertise and leadership that will be pivotal to tackling RHD," he said.
"Supporting research today lays the groundwork for evidence‑based interventions that shape a healthier future for all Western Australians."
Spotlight funding recipient Professor Jonathan Carapetis said following the initial funding allocation, the three END RHD WA partners (Aboriginal Health Council of WA, WA Country Health Services, and The Kids Research Institute Australia) are "already laying the groundwork for extensive consultation across WA to determine the innovation and research priorities that will be critical to delivering on the RHD Strategic Framework".
"We're making solid progress and looking forward to continuing to work with key stakeholders and reporting back to government," Professor Carapetis said.
