A new report argues that decisions made with incomplete data are undermining the response to HIV/AIDS, according to a statement by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and AVAC, which advocates globally for HIV prevention.

Supported in part by the MAC AIDS Fund, both groups authored the new report titled Data Watch: Closing a Persistent Gap in the AIDS Response, which is an update to their 2012 report titled Action Agenda to End AIDS.

The new report argues that improvements in data systems are needed now to achieve the goal of ending the pandemic by 2030. Although the report acknowledges systems are improving, key areas remain where more complete data is needed.

Questions include: How many people globally on HIV treatment are retained in care and undetectable? How many people from key populations do not have access to HIV prevention because of stigma? Is funding focused on high-impact programs?

The report also documents cases of incomplete data. For example, most developing countries have little viral load tracking. Incomplete viral load data complicates the decisions made to help communities achieve an undetectable status.

Both amfAR and AVAC seek data system improvements from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

To read the statement, click here.