Community Laundry Reduces Heart Disease in Remote Australia 2026

A community laundry project in the Northern Territory is dramatically reducing rheumatic heart disease by tackling scabies infections in remote Aboriginal communities. Former Olympian Liz Morgan-Brett launched the initiative after witnessing unsafe living conditions, including scabies outbreaks that lead to acute rheumatic fever and ultimately rheumatic heart disease.

How Scabies Leads to Rheumatic Heart Disease

Scabies is a parasitic skin infection that spreads rapidly in overcrowded housing. Up to 70% of Indigenous children in remote communities contract scabies before their first birthday. When scabies sores become infected with group A streptococcus bacteria, they can trigger acute rheumatic fever, which damages heart valves and causes rheumatic heart disease.

The Role of Clean Laundry in Prevention

Rheumatic heart disease was eliminated in developed nations by the mid-20th century through access to running water and clean laundry. In remote Australia, broken housing and lack of commercial-grade washers and dryers perpetuate the cycle. The Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG) built the first prototype laundry in Barunga in 2019, providing free commercial-grade facilities.

Key Takeaways from the Community Laundry Model

• Free commercial-grade laundry reduces scabies transmission by enabling regular washing of bedding and clothing.
• Overcrowded housing is a major driver of scabies and rheumatic heart disease in remote communities.
• No new cases of rheumatic heart disease were reported in Barunga after the laundry opened.
• The program is Indigenous-owned and community-led, ensuring cultural relevance and sustainability.

Expanding the Impact

Since the first prototype, AIG has built and delivered six more laundries across the Northern Territory. These facilities are used free of charge by community members, including teachers like Gemma Brogan in Gunbalanya. The project demonstrates that a simple intervention—access to clean laundry—can prevent a deadly disease.

FAQ

This innovative program proves that targeted, community-driven solutions can eliminate diseases that have plagued remote Australia for generations. Support for the Aboriginal Investment Group is crucial to expanding this life-saving work.