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Chance, the prepared mind and children with Hansen's disease
1University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.
Insights
Hansen's Disease, a chronic illness, is endemic in Hawaii, presenting unique challenges and resources for management. Advances in treatment offer hope, emphasizing ongoing education and training for healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hansen's Disease (leprosy) is a global chronic infectious disease affecting all continents and ethnic groups.
- Hawaii has endemic Hansen's Disease, necessitating specific management strategies due to local challenges and available resources.
Observation:
- The disease is present in Hawaii, not a 'hotbed' but also not absent.
- Current clinical and public health approaches to Hansen's Disease show promising advancements.
Findings:
- Hawaii manages endemic Hansen's Disease with existing resources and faces specific challenges.
- Effective treatment and management of Hansen's Disease are improving.
Implications:
- There is a continuous need for comprehensive education on Hansen's Disease for patients, families, communities, and professionals.
- Hawaii has the potential to become a central training hub for Hansen's Disease management in the Pacific Basin.
Abstract:
1. Hansen's Disease is a chronic disease found in every continent in the world and among all ethnic groups. 2. Hawaii is neither a "hotbed" of the disease nor a place where the disease is absent. 3. Hansen's Disease is endemic in these islands, but we also have problems and resources for coping with it. 4. Current treatment approaches to clinical and public health aspects of the disease now offer hope. 5. There is a continuing need to educate patients, families, communities and professional workers in the many aspects of this disease. 6. Opportunity exists for Hawaii to become the training nucleus for medical and public health approaches to Hansen's Disease among the populations of the Pacific Basin.