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Abstract
Missed and delayed diagnoses exacerbate the burden of Hansen's disease (HD), also known as leprosy, contributing to the ongoing transmission of the causative agents and having a significant impact on the lives of affected individuals and their families. These delays also strain public health systems due to the heightened risk of lifelong impairments and disabilities. A concerning factor is that, in 2022, the top three HD-affected countries saw an increase in new cases compared to the previous year, threatening WHO targets of interrupting transmission. Artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as a strong ally for endemic countries, aiding in the rapid detection of new HD cases, personalizing HD treatment, and addressing accessibility issues, especially in regions facing a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. This article reviews the main published studies and discusses the potential role of AI in the clinical management of HD.
