Global disease disparity

Andrea Beaton, M.D., discusses global disease disparity and specifically rheumatoid heart disease in this Grand Rounds session.

Dr. Beaton notes, "In the late 19th and early 20th century, acute rheumatic fever was one of the leading causes of child mortality in the United States. Research, education, advocacy and luck led to a dramatic decline to the point where rheumatic fever was considered nearly eliminated in high-income settings. However, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease continue unabated in many parts of the world, and remain a disease of disparity here at home. Why . . . and what are we doing?"