Later this week, UN AIDS scientists will adjust their estimates of people infected with AIDS from 44 milion to 30 million. The new calculation is mainly due to improved methods of collecting data.

Some researchers worry that past funding decisions have been based on these faulty numbers. The revisions may have also clouded the lessons we take away on how to slow the disease.

Officials from UNAIDS, the United Nations AIDS Agency, don’t believe that the new estimates are a reason to slow support. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot stated, “Unquestionably, we are beginning to see a return on investment — new HIV infections and mortality are declining and the prevalence of HIV leveling. But with more than 6,800 new infections and over 5,700 deaths each day due to AIDS, we must expand our efforts in order to significantly reduce the impact of AIDS worldwide.”

Decreased numbers of infections may also partially contribute to the new numbers.

The UNAIDS report said, “In both Kenya and Zimbabwe, there is increasing evidence that a proportion of the declines is due to a reduction of the number of new infections which is, in part due to a reduction in risky behaviors.”

Read the Washington Post or Reuters articles to learn more about the reassessment.

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