Historical and vulnerability factors associated with transmission of leprosy in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to describe the role of the history of public policies and of vulnerability factors still associated with leprosy transmission in Brazil. Method: This is a descriptive study through a bibliographic review based on the search for articles from the last 20 years in databases. Results: It was found that biological, clinical, socioeconomic and political factors are still relevant to maintaining high rates and physical disabilities associated with leprosy in the country. Conclusion: The authors recommend to achieve the objectives proposed by the World Health Organization for the elimination of leprosy, a multiprofessional approach, with actors from the areas of health, human and exact, in integrated actions between primary care, health surveillance and public policy managers.