Join us in combating rheumatic heart disease, saving numerous lives annually through vital support and global action.
Each year, more than 300,000 people die from rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The burden is greatest during the most productive years for those who can least afford it. The absolute burden of disease, the social impact, the economic cost, and the stark inequality of RHD demand urgent global action.
Almost exclusively, the people who die from RHD live in low- and middle-income countries or vulnerable communities in high-income countries. Their deaths are preventable with medical knowledge and antibiotics, which have existed for more than half a century. In high-resource settings, socioeconomic and medical determinants have effectively eradicated RHD. Yet preventing, diagnosing, and treating RF and RHD remains an ongoing struggle in low-resource settings. Death and disability from RHD continue to impose an enormous social, economic, and cultural toll on young adults and their communities.
Reach’s mission is to promote the health of vulnerable populations by providing technical support to local, regional, and global efforts to prevent and control rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Reach provides technical support and policy translation to amplify rheumatic heart disease control efforts locally, regionally, and globally. As an organisation, we aim to identify, describe, and disseminate solutions for this neglected disease and reduce the burden on vulnerable populations worldwide. As a collaborative organisation, we partner with various stakeholders – clinicians, other disease communities, academics, donors, governments, industry, and people living with RHD – to achieve our common goals.
We partner with various stakeholders – clinicians, other disease communities, academics, donors, governments, industry and people living with RHD – to achieve our common goals.
We are dedicated to reducing the burden of Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) on vulnerable communities. Our initiatives focus on empowering local healthcare personnel through comprehensive training and equipping them with cutting-edge diagnostic tools, ensuring early detection and timely treatment. This has significantly increased access to life-saving care for children and adolescents in underserved areas.
By bringing RHD diagnostic services into communities, we reduce barriers to healthcare, allowing families to receive critical assessments without the burden of extended travel. Our extensive screening programmes identify at-risk individuals early, preventing disease progression and enhancing quality of life.
Additionally, we prioritise education for health workers and communities, fostering a deeper understanding of RF and RHD. This holistic approach strengthens healthcare systems and empowers individuals to take control of their health. Together, we strive towards a future where Rheumatic Heart Disease is no longer a threat to vulnerable populations, working tirelessly towards our goal of an RHD-free generation by 2030.
