Abstract:
Secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF)
and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) involves continuous
antimicrobial prophylaxis among affected individuals
and is recognised as a cornerstone of public health
programmes that address these conditions. However,
several important scientific issues around the secondary
prevention paradigm remain unresolved. This report
details research priorities for secondary prevention
that were developed as part of a workshop convened
by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in
November 2021. These span basic, translational, clinical
and population science research disciplines and are built
on four pillars. First, we need a better understanding of
RHD epidemiology to guide programmes, policies, and
clinical and public health practice. Second, we need better
strategies to find and diagnose people affected by ARF
and RHD. Third, we urgently need better tools to manage
acute RF and slow the progression of RHD. Fourth, new
and existing technologies for these conditions need to
be better integrated into healthcare systems. We intend
for this document to be a reference point for research
organisations and research sponsors interested in
contributing to the growing scientific community focused
on RHD prevention and control.
