UN Lowers Estimate of HIV Cases (2/2)

But U.N. officials say AIDS is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the major cause in Africa. African death rates remain high, they say, because treatment needs are not being met.Sub-Saharan Africa had almost seventy percent of the new cases of H.I.V. reported this year. But UNAIDS officials say this is a notablereduction since two thousand one.

Many scientists who study epidemics have long argued that the agency has been overestimating the extent of H.I.V. worldwide. They say national estimates have been based mostly on findings from high-risk groups in large cities.

The lower estimate just released came from more studies of wider society, including rural areas. Even so, experts say there is a need to further improve the research methods.

Billions of dollars are being spent to prevent and treat H.I.V. Activists worry that the new estimate may lead to a drop in financial support. But UNAIDS officials say it does not change the need for immediate action and more money. They warn that in some countries, infection rates were falling but are now rising again.

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但是联合国官方说艾滋病仍然是全球范围内人口死亡的主要原因之一，也是非洲人口死亡的主要原因。他们说由于无法满足治疗需求，非洲的死亡率仍然很高。今年报道的HIV新发病历中,几乎70%出现在撒哈拉以南的非洲地区。但是联合国艾滋病规划署（UNAIDS）称这是自2001年来的显著减少。

很多研究流行病的科学家长期以来认为该规划署过高地估计了HIV的全球流行情况。他们说国家进行估算通常以大城市中高危人群的数据为基础。

来自更为广泛的团体的估算刚刚公布， 这个数字包括农村地区的情况。即便如此，专家表示有必要进一步改善研究方法。

数十亿美元投入到预防和治疗HIV。积极分子担心新估算的数字会导致财政支持下滑。但是联合国艾滋病规划署（UNAIDS）说这不会改变对立即行动和更多资金的需求。他们警告到：感染率在一些国家曾一度下降，但是现在又再度上升.