As an organisation that advertises in Life and Work I was somewhat dismayed that in the June edition of the Life and Work magazine the crossword (non-cryptic one) used the clue in ‘2 down’ as ‘outcast’ and with the answer as ‘leper’.

I am the CEO of The Leprosy Mission Scotland so I admit to a vested interest in deleting the use of the ‘L’ word. In fact we have a campaign entitled ‘Delete the L word’.

Can I ask you in future to use the terms ‘people affected by leprosy’ and a ‘leprosy village’ or colony?

One of the most damaging effects of leprosy is the stigma, isolation and discrimination it can lead to. People affected by leprosy are often treated very badly in their communities and called names which justify their treatment.

As part of our efforts to advocate for people affected by leprosy to be treated with dignity and respect we are determined to challenge the use of the ‘L word’ as we have come to know it here in Scotland. We will campaign to stop the use of ‘leper’ in print, on TV, as song lyric or from the pulpit.

The use of the word “leper” to describe someone affected by leprosy is archaic, derogatory and harmful. People affected by leprosy have asked that it not be used – surely that in itself should be reason enough to stop.

It dehumanises people affected by leprosy, equating the person with their disease. It carries with it all the unfortunate associations from the days when people with leprosy were routinely treated as social outcasts and declared unclean. Stigmatising and discriminatory, it is hurtful and demeaning to anyone affected by leprosy.

Still today though it is all too often used to denote someone who is an outcast or pariah for some other reason. This dual meaning adds to the fear, prejudice and stigma surrounding it leading to people affected being afraid to seek treatment, increasing the risk of a more severe disability developing.

By using it you are condoning and potentially encouraging the ongoing mistreatment of people affected by leprosy. You are denying them their dignity and their rights. You are making it harder for our colleagues around the world to persuade governments and others to take the problems of leprosy seriously, to overturn discriminatory legislation and provide comprehensive care and support.

If you mean “outcast”, say “outcast”.

If you mean “pariah”, say “pariah”.

If you mean “person affected by leprosy”, say “person affected by leprosy”.

Don’t add to the injustice they experience with your thoughtless use of words.

Linda Todd, CEO The Leprosy Mission Scotland