National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to the National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP).  The mission of this program is the eradication of leprosy through treatment of Hansen’s Disease (HD), training providers to identify and treat HD and research to improve treatment and provide immunity to HD, formerly known as leprosy. The program was established in Carville in 1894 and provided a leprosarium for patients with Hansen’s Disease (HD). Decades of research at NHDP led to the cure for leprosy in the 1940s and the multi-drug therapy used currently. The leprosarium was phased out in 2000 but treatment, education and research continue. NHDP provides free diagnostic services, and also treatment, including antibiotics, surgery for HD sequelae and rehabilitation services. NHDP directs and provides care in Baton Rouge and at 10 ambulatory care clinics across the United States and provides consultation to private physicians nationwide.