Articulating the Endgame for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia

Abstract

The END RHD Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) was funded in 2014 to develop a set of ‘costed stepwise strategies’ to end rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia by 2031. Five years after the grant was awarded the END RHD CRE is in the late stages of preparing the Endgame Strategy. This abstract reviews outputs to date, modelling strategy and consultation plans around the Endgame Strategy. A foundational Cost of Inaction report was published in late 2018 outlining current estimates of RHD burden and modelling expected medical costs. This report is being used to underpin a Cost of Action estimate, by exploring opportunities to change disease trajectory at a primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary level. Literature reviews are underway to define disease modifying strategies, cost and magnitude of effect at each level of prevention. Potential strategies are subject to community consultation including a formal Delphi study to explore preferences around primary prevention. A new disease model, incorporating social determinants of health and primary prevention strategies, will be used to estimate the effect in the Australian setting Combining literature reviews and consultation activities and policy mapping it will be possible to determine high priority strategies, model their cost and impact and provide guidance about approaches to ending RHD in Australia. Bipartisan political commitments have been made to reduce the burden of RHD in Australia. The Endgame Strategy is expected to underpin implementation of national approaches to the disease and contribute to closing the gap in health outcomes.