Australia eliminates trachoma endemic

Trachoma has been eliminated as a public health risk in Australia – a significant milestone achieved following years of sustained effort.
 
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem as part of global efforts to combat ‘neglected tropical diseases’.
 
RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Chair Dr Karen Nicholls said the achievement is a testament to the value of community controlled health organisations.
 
‘It is long-term commitment that leads to results like this, it’s unwavering commitment, and it definitely should be celebrated,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘I’m looking forward to being able to change what I teach with my medical students in being able to say that we have been able to eliminate trachoma.
 
‘Eye health is often underappreciated as to how important it is for people to be able to participate in community and in society, so any measures that improve health and increase the quality of life for our patients are such a milestone.’

According to the WHO, trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of preventable blindness and, in Australia, is found primarily in regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
 
In 2006, national efforts intensified to eliminate the condition with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Program, which implemented WHO recommendations.
 
This initiative involves regular screening of communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers.
 
In response, in communities identified as being at risk, trachoma prevalence has reduced in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5–9 years from 14.9% in 2009 to 1.5% in 2024.
 
The milestone reflects decades of community-led effort by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), medical professionals and health workers.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the achievement is a reflection of the ‘long-term efforts of the amazing GPs and Aboriginal Health Workers and staff’.
 
‘It basically comes down to the work of primary care on the ground in these remote communities,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘That’s ACCHOs, GPs, Aboriginal Health Workers, practice nurses, and the local community in a program of sustained screening, treating, and also preventing conditions which would allow trachoma to be more likely to exist.’
 
Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said while it is an ‘important achievement’, the Government will remain vigilant to avoid the re-emergence of trachoma.
 
‘The elimination of trachoma in Australia marks a major milestone for the eye health of our communities,’ he said.

‘I particularly thank the community members, community leaders and ACCHOs for their commitment and leadership to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.
 
‘Elimination was achieved through partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and it will only be sustained the same way.’
 
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health eye health trachoma World Health Organization