SOCIAL IMPACTS: HISTORY OF LEPROSY

Abstract

Abstrat

The analysis examines leprosy, focusing on the prejudice and stigma suffered by the individuals affected in different historical periods, demonstrating the ways addressed by society and government authorities in dealing to patients. Raises the discovery of the causative agent of the disease as a landmark for confirmatory compulsory isolation as the only measure to protect the Lazarus healthy society, showing that the doctor thought was the only guiding knowledge of disease control policies. Finally, the advent of known drugs that can promote healing of the disease, was presented as hope for extrication / deinstitutionalization. In a long hike, the treatment went from hospital to the community with the backing of the World Health Organization, Brazil is on course for a multidisciplinary approach to care, with the pillar to the Family Health Strategy.

Descriptors: Leprosy; History; Social Stigma; Public Health.