The Wire

A new study has found Indigenous children accounted for 63% of new cases of ARF, in regional areas of northern Australia during the two years up to 2004. The National Heart Foundation says ARF typically attacks young Indigenous children aged 5 to 14 years. Traven Lea, National Manager of the Heart Foundation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program, says the 13 per cent increase in the disease is astounding, and indicates a dire situation.