Rising percentage of new female leprosy cases since 2004

Objectives We determined the male and female ratio of new leprosy cases detected over 15 years, allowing future exploration inequalities pertaining to biological sex social aspects gender, which negatively impact women. Methods extracted sex-disaggregated data from annual Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) Global situation reports, 2004 2020, determine temporal pattern detected, by gender. Results Sex disaggregated was only consistently reported in WER papers 2004. The absolute number has remained static last years (80,000–90,000 annually). A 56.2% reduction observed 2004–2019, whereas amongst females 37.5%. difference gender-specific case detection similar 5 6 WHO regions. There is a clear trend increasing percent onwards; 30.8% all were female, rising 38.9% 2019. Conclusions Sex-disaggregated reporting at national international level needs remain priority. Further research needed understand why percentage role factors play transmission.