Leishmaniasis and Economic Invisibility: Epidemiology of a Neglected Disease and the Limits of Market Logic in Brazilian Healthcare—Epidemiological Study ^†

Introduction: The low financial profitability of the treatment of neglected diseases, such as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), results in outdated treatments with limited efficacy and high toxicity. This perpetuates the persistence of the disease in socioeconomically vulnerable regions. This study aims to correlate the socioeconomic determinants of Brazilian states with the worsening situation of CL in Brazil, emphasizing the influence of marketization. Methodology: This is an epidemiological study (2014–2024) based on official Federal Government sources addressing the epidemiology of CL and socioeconomic aspects of Brazilian states (IBGE). Results: By cross-referencing data from the Ministry of Health and IBGE, we established a comparison between the risk stratification (low–very intense) of CL and the socioeconomic class (per capita household income) of Brazilian states. States with an average income ≤ R$1518, such as Acre, Rondônia, Pará, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas, are classified as having high to very intense risk, with an average incidence of cases (2014–2024) of 88.5, 39.1, 35.9, 37.7, and 22.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. In contrast, states like Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and the Federal District, with an average income close to or ≥R$3036, are classified as having low risk, with an average incidence of cases (2014–2024) of 4.5, 1.23, 0.79, 0.44, 0.37, and 0.15 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conclusions: It is observed that socioeconomically vulnerable states are directly associated with the precariousness of public policies, research, and innovation regarding CL.