01880nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260004900042653001200091653001100103653001200114653002300126653002100149653001800170653001700188100001300205700001300218245004500231856005100276300001000327490000700337520128000344022001401624       2011                            d  c2011 JunbLEPRA Health in ActionaColchester10aCulture10aHumans10aleprosy10aSocial Environment10aSocial Isolation10aSocial stigma10aStereotyping1 aKazeem O1 aAdegun T00aLeprosy stigma: ironing out the creases.  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/82/2/10-3108  a103-80 v823 a<p>Oft-cited as a deterrent to elimination of the disease, stigma is still a critical feature of the leprosy landscape leading to ostracism, loss of employment, loss of housing, ridicule and rejection from society. The reason for leprosy-stigma rests historically and culturally on the mythology about the disease's origin and transmission, and its aesthetic features such as the enigmatic physical disfigurement, and the distinctive ulcers consequent of untreated leprosy. While the literature on leprosy has been consistent in showing that stigma is a social complication of the condition worldwide, there is seldom recognition of processes of stigmatisation in broader contexts. Effective and sustainable interventions directed at curbing leprosy stigma and so improving its social course must, however, be informed by an appreciation of such contexts; particularly in the light of the goal to eliminate the disease worldwide. Examining stigma in the broader contexts of historical, social, economic, political contexts is the aim of this paper. The paper also has implications for broad ranging intervention efforts aimed at de-constructing leprosy-stigma in order to craft a more accommodating ambiance of acceptance, care and support for people affected by leprosy.</p>  a0305-7518