UNAIDS this week released its Epidemic Update 2005. As in the past, the document is professionally presented, meticulously dispassionate, and very nearly devoid of good news. Another five million people have contracted the virus worldwide. Three million more have died. Forty million people carry the virus worldwide. Twenty five million people have died since 1981. Some countries show modest signs of progress, while many others show worrisome decline. Many countries appear on the brink of pronounced epidemics. The disease shows few signs of slowing its devastation.

If there is good news to be distilled from the document, it is that there is ample evidence on the right set of policies required to combat AIDS. Unfortunately there remain many obstacles to these policies. It is hard to conclude anything from this Update other than we're still losing the battle against AIDS.