The 1920s creation of Sociedades de Assistência aos Lázaros e Defesa Contra a Lepra under Brazil's First Republic (1889-1930) represented a milestone in relations between assistance organizations and the government. Although these organizations were at first autonomous decision-makers, their guidelines changed after they established closer relations with the government, which enacted reforms in policies to fight leprosy following the 1930 creation of the Ministry of Education and Public Health, especially during the long tenure of Minister Gustavo Capanema (1934-1945).
leprosy; Sociedades de Assistência aos Lázaros e Defesa Contra a Lepra; philanthropy; Gustavo Capanema Ministry (1934-1945); Brazil