Leprosy
Mailing List, March 2nd, 2009
Ref.:
Perhaps elimination is not the term to use with chronic
illnesses.
From:
Poorman E.,
Atlanta
,
GA
,
USA
Dear
Dr Noto,
I
refer to Dr Bendick’s message (LML Feb. 28th, 2009).
I
cannot speak to a rigorous criticism of the terminology, but I can say
that in my work in the remaining colonies of
Brazil
, the word "elimination" was particularly hurtful to the
residents. Since they
still suffer from the effects of leprosy, not to mention isolation,
they do not consider themselves "cured," and
"elimination" of leprosy to them can only happen when they
die out. As a result,
many residents expressed that they believed the government was waiting
for them to die.
Perhaps
elimination is not the term to use with chronic illnesses.
Elisabeth
Poorman
Medical
student,
Emory
University
Atlanta
,
GA
,
USA
