01152nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001653001400042653003100056653001200087653002000099653002600119653001700145653001100162100001200173700001300185700001200198245003900210856005100249300001200300490000700312520060300319       2013                            d10aTreatment10aLeprosy control programmes10aleprosy10aDrug Resistance10aDisability prevention10aDetectection10aBrazil1 aPenna M1 aGrossi M1 aPenna G00aCountry Profile: Leprosy in Brazil  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/84/4/30-8315  a308-3150 v843 a<p>Brazil has high rates of leprosy case detection, especially in the northern and west-central areas of the country. Effective decentralisation of routine treatment for leprosy has gathered pace since the year 2000 and this has improved access for patients, leading to a peak in new case detection in 2003 and a gradual decline thereafter. This is in parallel with specific government programmes aimed at poverty reduction. Disability prevention and surveillance for drug resistance remain important tasks within the leprosy control programme, in which six key referral centres lead the way.</p>