The effect of rapid socio-economic development on the frequency of leprosy in a population

Abstract

In Japan the possibility of leprosy transmission in the community appears to have been successfully minimized by a rather strict segregation policy started 50 years ago, backed by the huge budgetary allocation by the national government. This whole process took place before Japan achieved rapid economic growth and also before the start of chemotherapy treatment. Okinawa and Taiwan, on the contrary, achieved reduction of the incidence of leprosy after the start of chemotherapy treatment, mostly on out-patient basis, and also at the time of rapid socio-economic improvements. Rapid socio-economic development brought improvements in the standard of living and the social environment, particularly of the housing situation. These, together with decrease in the size of family, greatly contributed toward removing overcrowded living situations. As the result, the chances of household contact in rural areas, where the prevalence rate was high, was reduced, which in turn possibly contributed considerably to reduce the number of new leprosy patients.