Lay summary
Despite reductions across most high-income countries, rheumatic fever remains a significant issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, almost exclusively affecting Pasifika and Māori. A previous scoping review we conducted showed that although a range of interventions and initiatives have been implemented over time, rheumatic fever rates have not shown any consistent, long-term reduction. After identifying rheumatic fever as a key priority for research, the Pacific People’s Health Advisory Group (Pacific community members aged 18-85) and the Pacific Practice-based Research Network (Pacific health professionals) co-designed a series of innovative interventions. This research will focus on one refined intervention, exploring baseline data, implementing the intervention as a pilot and then conducting a process evaluation. Innovative models of care designed and led by our Pacific communities are needed to inform resilient health systems that can address the significant health inequities we face.