01469nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001100055653001000066653001900076653001200095653001400107653001900121653001700140100001300157245007600170856005100246300000900297490000700306050003200313520086800345022001401213       2010                            d  c2010 Mar10aHumans10aJapan10aLeper Colonies10aleprosy10aPrejudice10aSocial Support10aStereotyping1 aHosoda M00aHansen's disease recoverers as agents of change: a case study in Japan.  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/81/1/00-5016  a5-160 v81  aInfolep Library - available3 a<p>This manuscript addresses the role and contribution of people affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy), especially through the efforts of Zen-Ryo-Kyo, the National Hansen's Disease Sanatoria Residents' Association, in changing laws and attitudes in Japan since the 1950's. Health social movements are discussed in the Japanese context and more broadly. An important contribution of this manuscript is the explanatory description of the activities of Zen-Ryo-Kyo in achieving change through addressing issues related to social stigma and discrimination. The argument is made for expanding the scope of social movements to include all stigmatised illnesses and disabilities. Another significant point discussed is the need to move beyond defining Hansen's disease in medical and legal terms, and to redefine it as a public health and social issue to be solved.</p>  a0305-7518