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The American Heart Association’s Call to Action for Reducing the Global Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease
Published: October 19, 2020

- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant, persistent global health problem affecting nearly 40 million people and accounting for nearly 300,000 deaths annually.
- In this statement, the American Heart Association renews its commitment to serve as a global champion and leader in RHD care and prevention.
- The AHA commits to support 5 key areas: (1) development and dissemination of professional healthcare worker education, (2) provision of technical support for implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies, (3) facilitation of access to essential medications, (4) supporting research to advance innovative solutions, and (5) advocacy for global RHD awareness.
Recommended Reading
- The Heart of 25 by 25: Achieving the Goal of Reducing Global and Regional Premature Deaths From Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke
- Two-Year Follow-up of the Global Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry (the REMEDY Study)
- Revision of the Jones Criteria for the Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever in the Era of Doppler Echocardiography
- Prevention of Rheumatic Fever and Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Streptococcal Pharyngitis