Can We Eliminate Rheumatic Fever and Premature Deaths From RHD?

It is estimated that 32.9 million individuals experience rheumatic heart disease (RHD) globally, with about 275,000 deaths occurring each year. The majority of cases occur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from RHD is estimated to be about 9.5 million, with the majority being in low- and middle-income countries (this burden is similar to that of acute leukemia). Between 2000 and 2012, the number of deaths from RHD declined by 9% (from 372,000 to 337,000) and DALYs declined 6% (from 14.3 million to 11.9 million) globally [1].
Source: CVD Prevention and Control - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Editorial Comment Source Type: research