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IJD

Leprosy and Hansen's Disease

Rethinking Terminology Through a Patient-Centered Lens.

Ding DD, Leslie KS

International Journal of DermatologyIn the feed 7 Oct 2026, published online 6 Oct 2026, issue 2026 Oct 06, added to PubMed 7 Oct 2026

Topics: Infections & infestations

Abstract

The term leprosy carries profound stigma, yet its common alternative, Hansen's disease, paradoxically commemorates a physician who performed nonconsensual experimentation on a woman affected by leprosy. We argue that future terminology should be reconsidered through an international process centered on people affected by the disease.

Abstract from PubMed

PMID 42839589 · DOI 10.1111/ijd.70718