World AIDS Day Report Finds Fragile Progress

— -- For the first time in more than 30 years, more people are receiving lifesaving treatment for AIDS than the number of people who become newly infected with HIV, says the new ONE AIDS report released in honor of World AIDS Day today.

“Despite the good news, we should not take a victory lap yet,” said Erin Hohlfelder, ONE’s Director of Global Health Policy and author of the report. “We’ve passed the tipping point in the AIDS fight at the global level, but not all countries are there yet, and the gains made can easily stall or unravel.”

The One Campaign, which was founded by U2 front man Bono, noted the fight against AIDS is still hampered by lack of funding.

Annually there is a $3 billion shortfall in the amounted needed to control the disease around the world, their report found.

The report also warned that the progress to date could easily unravel in places like Africa, where many countries have fragile and overstretched healthcare systems. And another worry the report found: New AIDS patients are increasingly from marginalized communities such as drug users and sex workers.

The report said the progress can continue if funding comes from new sources, countries build more resilient healthcare systems and the medical community does a better job addressing the crisis.

“We are calling on those involved in the AIDS fight to target HIV where it is, not where it is easiest to reach,” Hohlfelder said.

If you’re interested in learning more about the fight against AIDS in your community and around the world, join ABC News Health for an AIDS tweet chat tomorrow at 1 p.m., ET. Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News chief health and medical editor, will moderate.

Hohlfelder –- along with others from the AIDS community -- will also be tweeting thoughts about this important topic.

Learn how to join the AIDS health tweet chat.