How Julia Roberts Raised Awareness about a Devastating Disease
Introduction
In 2010, Julia Roberts starred in the movie “Eat Pray Love” where she visited a small island in Bali, Indonesia to find inner peace and rediscover herself. This small island was affected by a disease called leprosy. This rare disease, which is now known as Hansen’s disease, affects the skin and nerves, causing deformities and disabilities. Julia Roberts used her influential position to raise awareness about this devastating disease and bring attention to the people who are still suffering from it.
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What is Hansen’s Disease?
Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin and nerves. The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and is transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact with a person who is infected. Hansen’s disease mainly affects the nerves in the hands, feet, and face, leading to numbness, weakness, and muscle paralysis. The disease can also cause skin lesions and deformities, and if left untreated, it can result in blindness and limb amputation.
The Stigma Surrounding Hansen’s Disease
Despite being curable with multi-drug therapy, people affected by Hansen’s disease still face discrimination and social exclusion. This is mainly due to the stigma surrounding the disease that has been perpetuated for centuries. People with Hansen’s disease were often considered “untouchable” and were forced to live in isolated communities known as leper colonies. This has caused immense psychological trauma and has prevented people affected by Hansen’s disease from receiving proper treatment and care.
Julia Roberts’ Efforts to Raise Awareness
After filming “Eat Pray Love” in Bali, Julia Roberts learned about the devastating effects of Hansen’s disease on the island and decided to use her global platform to raise awareness about the disease. In 2011, she became a global ambassador for the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy, a non-profit organization that works towards eliminating Hansen’s disease and its effects on society. She also visited Hansen’s disease patients’ rehabilitation centers in India, promoting the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment, and reducing the stigma surrounding the disease.
Impact of Julia Roberts’ Advocacy
Julia Roberts’ advocacy has brought significant attention to Hansen’s disease and has helped reduce the stigma surrounding it. Her efforts have led to increased research and funding towards finding a cure for the disease and helping affected individuals. In 2019, the World Health Organization declared that Hansen’s disease was no longer a public health problem in most countries, with significant global progress in reducing the incidence rate of the disease.
Conclusion
Julia Roberts’ advocacy for Hansen’s disease has brought significant attention to the disease and helped reduce the stigma surrounding it. Her efforts have shown how a global platform can be used to bring awareness to an issue and promote change. Although significant progress has been made in eliminating Hansen’s disease, there is still more work to be done in ending the stigma and providing proper care and treatment for affected individuals. It is essential to continue advocating for Hansen’s disease until every single person affected by it is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
