According the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization, the number of people living with HIV worldwide is declining.

The two organizations released a report November 20 that found a 6.3 million drop in people living with HIV, from an estimated 44 million to 33 million. The agencies attributed the decrease to more accurate data collection and analysis [see story page 1].

"Unquestionably, we are beginning to see a return on investment – new HIV infections and mortality are declining and the prevalence of HIV leveling," said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot in a statement. "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."

Paul De Lay, director of evidence monitoring and policy for UNAIDS added, according to the release, that the "report shows that overall global declines are partly attributed to strong treatment and prevention programs."

The news adds more steam for UNAIDS' World AIDS five-year campaign "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise," that focuses on promoting community leadership to continue reducing transmission of HIV/AIDS.