I really should have known that leprosy doesn't make your nose fall off.
When I think about it, it makes absolute sense. But somehow, I believed that damaging myth until I edited Andrea Maderal's First Opinion, published this week, on the new panic over leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease.
Earlier this month, Emerging Infectious Diseases published a research letter warning that leprosy may have become endemic in Florida. The report led to panicked headlines (and not a few crass jokes). But I wanted to know more. One of the many privileges of being the editor of First Opinion is that when I have a question about something in medicine, biotech, or an associated field, I have a great excuse to reach out to the smartest thinkers on that topic. I quickly discovered that the person I absolutely needed to speak to about leprosy was Maderal, the director for the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Hansen's Disease Clinic — that's right, a leprosy expert right in the heart of Florida.
Maderal confessed to being a little surprised about the hubbub the report had generated. But she agreed to write a First Opinion offering an expert's-eye view of the news. "As a physician in Florida who specializes in treating leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, this case report was not 'news' to us in the field: We have known for some time about endemic cases of leprosy. However, given how rare the disease is in the state, there is no cause for alarm — despite the fearful headline," she says. What follows is a must-read that busts myths (see: my embarrassing belief about noses), educates, and calms fears.
Also in First Opinion this week: In an excerpt from his fascinating new book "How to Make a Killing: Blood, Death and Dollars in American Medicine" (what a title, right?), Tom Mueller writes about the very human-centric approach to dialysis in Australia. Dana Singiser explains how to make over-the-counter birth control affordable for all who need it. We have two important pieces on hospice: one on why the industry owes Americans an apology, and one on how to make it work for trans people. And so much more.
Got an idea for First Opinion? Thoughts on what we should do differently or better? Email me.
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