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The United Nations released a very promising report on the global HIV/AIDS crisis. According to UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, the global world experienced a dramatic reduction in the incidence rate of this deadly virus. This new report suggests that the fight against HIV/AIDS is going strong as the numbers dwindle closer to the goal set for 2015 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The current target number of people receiving HIV treatment is 15 million.

"Not only can we meet the 2015 target of 15 million people on HIV treatment-we must also go beyond and have the vision and commitment to ensure no one is left behind," commented the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé according to the press release.

The latest numbers reveal a 33 percent reduction in new HIV infections for both adults and children from 2001 to 2012. The new estimated number of cases was 2.3 million. For new HIV infections for children specifically, the latest estimate is 260,000. This number is a 52 percent reduction from 2001 to 2012.

Furthermore, since the peak in AIDS related deaths in 2005, the authors of the report stated that the number of deaths has declined by 30 percent. The numbers fell from 2.3 million to 1.6 million. The declining HIV-related deaths could be attributed to the fact that more people have access to antiretroviral therapy. In 2012, there was an increased in about 20 percent of people who had received antiretroviral therapy. This 20 percent increase was experienced in just one year where 9.7 million people from low and middle-income countries had care.

The report also provided information on the financial portion tied to HIV funding. The amount of donor funding for HIV has remained the same since 2008, but the domestic spending on HIV has increased. In 2012, domestic spending was responsible for 53 percent of the global HIV resources. So far, the total global resources amount for HIV is at $18.9 billion. In order to reach the 2015 goal, the number needs to increase to $22-24 billion. The report also presented new targets.

The full report can be accessed here.