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Does leprosy usually shorten a person's life?

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Sign reading Gandhiji Prem Nivas Leprosy Centre Titagarh conducted by Missionaries of Charity, with a crucifix above the sign on a decorated building facade. — leprosy The Gandhiji Prem Nivas is a center for people with leprosy that was established by Mother Teresa in 1958 and is run by the Missionaries of Charity in Titagarh, India.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, does not usually shorten a person's life. While the disease is characterized by a slow, progressive course that can lead to significant disability and disfigurement, it is not inherently fatal.1

Modern medical advancements have made the condition highly treatable. The current standard of care is multidrug therapy, which effectively kills the bacteria and halts the progression of the disease. Although this treatment cannot reverse tissue damage or permanent nerve impairment that occurred prior to intervention, it prevents further complications.2

Historically, the disease was often referred to as a "living death" due to the severe social stigma, forced isolation, and the physical deformities it caused, but these social consequences are distinct from the biological impact of the infection on life expectancy. Today, with early diagnosis and proper medication, patients can lead normal lives.32