TY - JOUR
KW - Community engagement
KW -  leprosy
KW - zero leprosy
KW - Leprosy elimination
KW - community-based approaches
AU - Fastenau A
AU - Willis M
AU - Vettel C
AU - Stuetzle SCW
AU - Penna S
AU - Chahal P
AU - Schlumberger F
AU - Mow MB
AU - Ekeke N
AU - Chukwu JN
AU - Deps PD
AB - <jats:p>Community engagement has emerged as a critical component in the effective control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly in regions with persistent stigma and limited healthcare access. Drawing on case studies from Brazil, India, and Nigeria, this opinion piece explores how community-driven initiatives have successfully improved leprosy awareness, reduced stigma, and fostered early case detection and treatment adherence. The importance of culturally sensitive, inclusive approaches in health education and stigma reduction campaigns is highlighted, emphasizing the potential for community engagement to enhance national leprosy programs and contribute to the World Health Organization’s Zero Leprosy Strategy. By examining these examples, this article illustrates how integrating community participation into leprosy control and elimination programs can drive sustainable outcomes for achieving Zero Leprosy, even in resource-limited settings.</jats:p>
BT - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
DO - 10.3390/tropicalmed9120296
IS - 12
LA - ENG
M3 - Article
N2 - <jats:p>Community engagement has emerged as a critical component in the effective control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly in regions with persistent stigma and limited healthcare access. Drawing on case studies from Brazil, India, and Nigeria, this opinion piece explores how community-driven initiatives have successfully improved leprosy awareness, reduced stigma, and fostered early case detection and treatment adherence. The importance of culturally sensitive, inclusive approaches in health education and stigma reduction campaigns is highlighted, emphasizing the potential for community engagement to enhance national leprosy programs and contribute to the World Health Organization’s Zero Leprosy Strategy. By examining these examples, this article illustrates how integrating community participation into leprosy control and elimination programs can drive sustainable outcomes for achieving Zero Leprosy, even in resource-limited settings.</jats:p>
PB - MDPI AG
PY - 2024
SP - 1
EP - 5
T2 - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
TI - Integrating Community Engagement in Zero Leprosy Efforts: A Pathway to Sustainable Early Detection, Control and Elimination
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/9/12/296/pdf?version=1733213852
VL - 9
SN - 2414-6366
ER -