The temporospatial epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease in Far North Queensland, tropical Australia 1997-2017; impact of socioeconomic status on disease burden, severity and access to care.

The incidence of RHD, RHD-related hospitalisations and RHD-related surgery continues to rise in FNQ. Whilst this is partly explained by increased disease recognition and improved delivery of care, the burden of RHD remains unacceptably high and is disproportionately borne by the socioeconomically disadvantaged Indigenous population.