About ACT Global
The ACT-Global Collaboration
Empowering a Worldwide Network for RHD Care
ACT Global is a dynamic global network of clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Leveraging the power of data, we bring RHD into focus as a critical public health issue and cultivate collaboration across communities to enhance local care delivery. By equipping clinicians with the tools they need to improve patient care and fostering the exchange of best practices on a global scale, ACT Global drives impactful quality improvement initiatives that aim for better care and life-changing outcomes for RHD patients around the world.
What is ACT?
The Active Community Case Management Tool (ACT) is a mobile, dynamic registry built to overcome barriers to high-quality Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) care, particularly in low-resource settings. ACT empowers healthcare teams with real-time, actionable data that optimizes patient care and highlights trends in care delivery performance. By providing insights into treatment effectiveness, ACT drives continuous improvement in RHD outcomes, helping ensure better care at every stage of the patient journey.
Development of ACT Highlights
Connects care through a cloud-based, affordable mobile health platform.
Developed collaboratively with global partners as a scalable RHD solution.
Provides real-time data to improve care, guide resources, and drive quality improvement.
What is RHD?
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a chronic heart valve condition affecting over 55 million people worldwide, with the highest burden in children and young adults in low-resource settings. It starts with untreated strep throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF), which can cause symptoms like fever, joint pain, and involuntary movements (Sydenham chorea). Repeated ARF episodes damage the heart valves, resulting in RHD.
Key risk factors include recurrent untreated or inadequately treated strep infections. RHD can cause severe symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and swollen joints, with complications like stroke or heart failure. Early detection and treatment of strep throat, along with prompt RHD diagnosis and prophylaxis, can prevent this disease.
Where can I learn more about RHD?
Scaling ACT in Uganda
ACT was adopted as the National RHD Registry at the Uganda Heart Institute in 2023.
Deployed across 8 regional RHD registry sites in the country.
Currently managing over 3,000 active RHD patients.
Partnered with the Ugandan Ministry of Health to develop district-wide RHD programs.
Where can I learn more about ACT's impact in Uganda?
To explore the impact of ACT in Uganda and its role in transforming RHD care visit our resources page for detailed reports and case studies.
Building a Model for RHD Care
ACT’s Impact in Northern Uganda
In 2018, the World Health Assembly passed a global resolution calling for integrated RHD care models. The ADUNU program, led by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, is taking action on this resolution by developing and testing national strategies, with ACT’s registry-based care at its core.
The program is now fully operational in a district in Northern Uganda, where active case finding and point-of-care echocardiography are integrated into 11 health facilities. Patients with positive screenings are referred to the district hospital for confirmation, then enrolled in ACT for ongoing care. Assigned to primary healthcare centers for secondary prophylaxis, patients’ progress is monitored in real-time by the District Health Officer, with clinic performance reviewed quarterly.
Other Heart Diseases
At ACT, we are building a global network of clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to improve outcomes for people living with rheumatic heart disease (RHD)—but we know that care doesn’t happen in isolation. ACT can also serve as a clinical registry and tool for patients with other structural heart diseases, including acquired and congenital heart conditions. Beyond heart disease, we are actively exploring partnerships to expand ACT’s reach to other chronic non-communicable diseases that require long-term follow-up and care. By working together, we can create a more connected, comprehensive approach to patient care worldwide.