Taliah Su’a, a dedicated PhD candidate at the University of Otago, Christchurch, is making significant strides in understanding acute rheumatic fever (ARF) among children in Canterbury. Her research, supported by Research for Children Aotearoa, the Pasifika Medical Association Group, and Putahi Manawa, focuses on analyzing a decade’s worth of clinical data to uncover patterns and inform better healthcare practices.
ARF is a serious illness that can cause damage in a child’s heart as well as swelling and pain in their joints. Over time, most of these symptoms will go away, but any damage to the heart may be permanent. The disease disproportionately affects Māori and Pasifika children, particularly those in overcrowded or socioeconomically deprived households.
Su’a’s personal connection to the disease—her aunt suffered from ARF, requiring extensive treatment and heart surgery—fuels her commitment to this research. She aims to identify ways to improve care for ARF patients in Canterbury, with a focus on the unique needs of Māori and Pasifika communities.
In addition to data analysis, Su’a plans to conduct interviews with families affected by ARF to gain insights into their experiences and perspectives on care. This qualitative approach will complement the quantitative data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the disease’s impact and informing culturally appropriate interventions.
Paediatrician and Research for Children Aotearoa leader Professor Tony Walls emphasizes the importance of this work, stating, “This is an important topic and we need to develop a better understanding of how rheumatic fever affects children and their families in Canterbury.” He also highlights the organization’s commitment to supporting Pasifika students in research that directly benefits their communities.
Su’a’s research is particularly timely, as the World Health Organization has identified Group A streptococcus, the bacteria responsible for ARF, as an emerging threat to children globally. Understanding its prevalence and impact in regions like Canterbury is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Through her work, Taliah Su’a exemplifies the integration of personal experience, academic rigor, and cultural sensitivity, aiming to make a lasting difference in the health outcomes of children in her community.