These researchers evaluated trends in New Zealand’s acute rheumatic fever (ARF) incidence rates between 1996 and 2005 and the extent to which the disease is concentrated in certain populations based on age, sex, ethnicity and geographical location, using hospitalisation data (1996 through 2005) and population data from the 1996 and 2001 censuses. The annual ARF rate was 3.4 per 100,000 and concentrated by age group (in 5- to 14-year-olds), ethnicity (Māori and Pacific peoples) and geographical regions (upper North Island areas). From 1996 to 2005, the ARF rate decreased significantly in New Zealand European and Others but increased for Māori and Pacific peoples. Compared with New Zealand European and Others, rate ratios were 10.0 for Māori and 20.7 for Pacific peoples. Notably, 59.5% of all cases were Māori or Pacific children aged 5–14 years, who comprised only 4.7% of the New Zealand population.
