Overview
Background
Dr Carl Francia (Saibai Koedal awgadhalayg) is a Torres Strait Islander physiotherapist and cardiovascular epidemiologist whose research focuses on improving cardiovascular health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through Indigenous-led, community-partnered research.
Based at The University of Queensland's Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Carl leads research examining acute rheumatic fever (ARF), rheumatic heart disease (RHD), cardiovascular health, health services, and implementation of evidence into policy and practice. His work combines epidemiology, health systems research, and community partnership approaches to support prevention, early detection, long-term management, and elimination of RHD.
Carl currently coordinates the NHMRC Synergy-funded iPreventRHD program, a national Indigenous-led research initiative focused on life-course approaches to preventing and managing RHD. He is also a Chief Investigator on an MRFF-funded project exploring cardiovascular health among First Nations women and girls and is involved in community-led climate and cardiovascular health initiatives in the Torres Strait.
Research interests include:
• Cardiovascular epidemiology and population health • Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease • Indigenous health and health equity • Implementation science and health services research • Climate change and cardiovascular health • Indigenous Data Sovereignty and community-led research
Carl welcomes enquiries from Honours, Masters, and HDR students interested in Indigenous health, cardiovascular disease prevention, epidemiology, implementation science, health systems research, and community-partnered research.
Availability
- Dr Carl Francia is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
rheumatic heart disease; acute rheumatic fever; health equity; cardiovascular health; big data.
Research impacts
Dr Carl Francia's research seeks to improve cardiovascular health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by generating evidence that supports earlier diagnosis, better access to care, and more effective health services.
His work has helped improve understanding of the burden and long-term outcomes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Queensland. Using linked health data spanning more than two decades, his research has identified important gaps in diagnosis, follow-up care, and disease surveillance, providing evidence that can support health service planning and policy development.
Research findings have informed discussions with clinicians, health services, policymakers, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations working to prevent and eliminate RHD. This includes engagement with hospital services, primary healthcare providers, and community partners across Queensland to strengthen approaches to prevention, early detection, long-term management, and transition of care.
Current research focuses on translating evidence into action through two major nationally funded programs:
• The NHMRC Synergy-funded iPreventRHD program, which aims to improve prevention and management of RHD across the life course through community, clinical, and policy partnerships.
• An MRFF-funded project focused on improving cardiovascular health outcomes for First Nations women and girls.
Through these programs, Dr Francia works with communities, health services, and government partners to co-design practical, culturally responsive solutions that can improve health outcomes and contribute to the long-term goal of eliminating RHD in Australia.
Works
Search Professor Carl Francia’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2023
Journal Article
The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact
Stacey, Ingrid, Ralph, Anna, de Dassel, Jessica, Nedkoff, Lee, Wade, Vicki, Francia, Carl, Wyber, Rosemary, Murray, Kevin, Hung, Joseph and Katzenellenbogen, Judith (2023). The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (4) 100071, 100071. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100071
2026
Journal Article
A retrospective linked data analysis of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease diagnoses in children aged under five years in Australia, 2001-2017
Cransberg, Jamie, Katzenellenbogen, Judith, Remenyi, Bo, Francia, Carl, Murray, Kevin and Stacey, Ingrid (2026). A retrospective linked data analysis of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease diagnoses in children aged under five years in Australia, 2001-2017. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 34 (1) e70135, 1-9. doi: 10.1111/ajr.70135
2025
Journal Article
The epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Queensland, 2017–2021: a population-level cohort study using linked administrative data
Francia, Carl J. (Saibai Koedal awgadhalayg, Guda Maluylgal Nation), Johnston, Leanne M., Stacey, Ingrid, Justo, Robert N., Fraser, John F. and Katzenellenbogen, Judith M (2025). The epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Queensland, 2017–2021: a population-level cohort study using linked administrative data. Medical Journal of Australia, 223 (11) mja2.70052, 576-585. doi: 10.5694/mja2.70052
2025
Journal Article
Missed opportunities for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever
Woods, John A., Stacey, Ingrid, Sodhi‐Berry, Nita, MacDonald, Bradley R., Francia, Carl and Katzenellenbogen, Judith M. (2025). Missed opportunities for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 61 (9), 1529-1530. doi: 10.1111/jpc.70135
2025
Conference Publication
Long-Term Outcomes of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Young Queenslanders: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Linked Data, 2001–2021
Francia, C., Katzenellenbogen, J., Justo, R., Fraser, J., Stacey, I. and Johnston, L. (2025). Long-Term Outcomes of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Young Queenslanders: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Linked Data, 2001–2021. 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-17 August 2025. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2025.06.024
2024
Journal Article
Pattern of hospital admissions and costs associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2012-2017
Stacey, Ingrid, Katzenellenbogen, Judith, Hung, Joseph, Seth, Rebecca, Francia, Carl, MacDonald, Bradley, Marangou, James, Murray, Kevin and Cannon, Jeffrey (2024). Pattern of hospital admissions and costs associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2012-2017. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24148, 1-8. doi: 10.1071/ah24148
2024
Journal Article
Estimating the true number of people with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease from two data sources using capture–recapture methodology
Thandrayen, Joanne, Stacey, Ingrid, Oliver, Jane, Francia, Carl, Katzenellenbogen, Judith M. and Wyber, Rosemary (2024). Estimating the true number of people with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease from two data sources using capture–recapture methodology. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24267. doi: 10.1071/ah24267
2024
Conference Publication
Age-Specific and Age-Standardised Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Queensland (2021) Using Linked Data
Francia, C., Fraser, J., Justo, R., Katzenellenbogen, J., Stacey, I. and Johnston, L. (2024). Age-Specific and Age-Standardised Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Queensland (2021) Using Linked Data. 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Perth, WA Australia, 1-4 August 2024. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2024.06.728
2024
Journal Article
Exploring equity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the state-wide Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multi-disciplinary Service in Queensland Health
McDougall, Alistair, Raymer, Maree, Window, Peter, Cottrell, Michelle, Nelson, Curtley, Francia, Carl, Watson, Eliza and O’Leary, Shaun (2024). Exploring equity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the state-wide Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multi-disciplinary Service in Queensland Health. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24063, 1-12. doi: 10.1071/ah24063
2024
Journal Article
Follow-up echocardiographic changes in children and youth aged <25 years with latent rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data
Francia, Carl J., Fraser, John F., Justo, Robert, Cassimatis, Joan, Manoy, Sophie and Johnston, Leanne M (2024). Follow-up echocardiographic changes in children and youth aged <25 years with latent rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data. International Journal of Cardiology, 403 131911, 131911. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.131911
2024
Journal Article
Are we missing opportunities to detect acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in hospital care? A multijurisdictional cohort study
Woods, John A., Sodhi-Berry, Nita, MacDonald, Bradley R., Ralph, Anna P., Francia, Carl, Stacey, Ingrid and Katzenellenbogen, Judith M. (2024). Are we missing opportunities to detect acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in hospital care? A multijurisdictional cohort study. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH23273. doi: 10.1071/ah23273
2022
Conference Publication
Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease Progression in Children and Youths Living in Endemic Regions: A Global Systematic Review
Francia, C., Johnston, L., Justo, R., Manoy, S., Cassimatis, J. and Fraser, J. (2022). Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease Progression in Children and Youths Living in Endemic Regions: A Global Systematic Review. 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 11-14 August 2022. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2022.06.478
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Carl Francia is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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