UN: AIDS epidemic stabilizing, still work to do

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_MED_GLOBAL_AIDS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-11-21-06-21-40

LONDON (AP) -- The AIDS epidemic is leveling off and the number of people newly infected with the virus that causes it has remained unchanged since 2007, the United Nations said in a report Monday.

Critics say that the body's aim of wiping out the disease is overly optimistic, however, considering there is no vaccine, millions remain untreated and donations have slumped amid the economic crisis.

There were 2.7 million new HIV infections last year, approximately the same figure as in the three previous years, said the report from UNAIDS, the joint United Nations program on HIV and AIDS. The figures largely confirm earlier findings released by the group in June.

At the end of last year, there were about 34 million people with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. While that is a slight rise from previous years, experts say that's due to people surviving longer. Last year, there were 1.8 million AIDS-related deaths, down from 1.9 million in 2009.

I cannot take any "official" number at its face value. My government has cured me of that. And that makes the situation seem hopeless.

why should we believe them in their 2nd, 3rd, or more revisions?