Governments Adopt a Global Resolution on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease at the 71st World Health Assembly

Following years of campaigning and advocacy from the RHD community, we are delighted to announce that today, Friday 25 May, Member States of the World Health Organization unanimously adopted a Global Resolution on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease at the World Health Assembly in
Geneva, Switzerland.

This historic decision marks the first time that Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) have been recognised as global health priorities on the world stage. The Resolution was co-sponsored by countries from all six WHO regions, demonstrating the urgent need for a global response.

The Resolution on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease was written by a group of governments – led by New Zealand – and is accompanied by a summary report from WHO, which calls for a ‘coordinated global response’ to tackle RHD.
There was strong consensus among governments that action was needed