About STRong Heart

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a deeply neglected disease of poverty, marked by major gaps in prevention, treatment, and access to quality health care. More than 50 million people worldwide live with RHD, most in low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia, where patients often present with advanced or end-stage disease.

Although global research on RHD has increased over the past two decades, there is still a critical lack of applied research and evidence-based interventions that meaningfully improve outcomes for affected communities.

As scientific advances emerge, including promising vaccine technologies targeting Group A Streptococcus—the infection that precedes RHD—there is an essential need to evaluate these innovations within endemic regions. Building robust clinical trial capacity is central to translating scientific progress into effective policy, informed practice, and real-world impact for people living with RHD.