The Traditional Owners of this land are those who identify as
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Sovereignty was never ceded.
ANTAR pays respect to Elders past, present, and emerging through our dedicated advocacy for First Nations Peoples’ justice and rights.
ANTAR acknowledges the responsibility of committing to a truth-telling process that promotes an honest and respectful path forward for future generations to build upon.
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a preventable childhood illness that kills two young Australians each week. First Nations children experience rates of RHD 60 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.
Take Heart is a film-led campaign that has been committed to eliminating RHD (Rheumatic Heart Disease) in Australia for over a decade.
The Take Heart campaign has worked closely with ANTAR since 2019 to help raise awareness about RHD and elevate RHD elimination as a policy priority amongst all major parties and elected officials.
During this time, we have seen huge improvements in general awareness of RHD, alongside the establishment of dozens of community-led programs offering hope for the future.
However, at least two young people still die from this preventable disease in Australia every week. Most of these young people identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Tragically, Rheumatic Heart Disease has the greatest negative impact on the life-expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Join us as we fight to eliminate RHD by 2030 in line with the RHD Endgame Strategy.
To support National Close the Gap Day 2025, the Take Heart campaign will be releasing a brand new 30 minute film which will be publicly available. The film provides a great opportunity to gather on National Close the Gap Day and take action. Subscribe to ANTAR for updates and more.
Take Heart supports the annual Deadly Heart Trek which involves First Nations cultural guides, doctors, health workers and nurses who work closely with the community in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. During the trek the team undertakes heart checks for children to detect RHD and perform skin checks increasing community support and awareness. See Deadly Heart Trek for more.