Press Release

Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Abbott Bring "I Stand With Magic Program: Part of the Campaign to End Black HIV/AIDS" to Miami

February 26, 2008

Miami, Florida, — Today, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Abbott (NYSE: ABT) are bringing an awareness program aiming to reduce new HIV infections among African Americans to Miami. Part of a 17-city tour since the campaign was launched on December 1, 2006, Miami will be the first city stop of the year. The "I Stand With Magic" program will urge students, patients and community leaders in Miamito mobilize their resources, get educated, get tested for HIV and seek treatment.

The program's emphasis is on African-American and other minority communities where HIV infections are prevalent. Although African Americans represent about 13 percent of the population, about half of all new HIV infections are among African-Americans in the U.S. In 2005, 48 percent of Florida residents (48,917) living with HIV/AIDS were African American.

At the historic Greater Bethel AME Church in Miami, Johnson also will be joined by local HIV/AIDS clinicians, who will provide the medical perspective on HIV/AIDS. CARE RESOURCE and EMPOWER-U, which are both AIDS Service Organizations, will be offering free, rapid HIV testing at Greater Bethel AME Church, 245 NW 8th St, on Thursday, February 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST.

Johnson is reaching out to minority communities in Miami and other cities across the country. By sharing his story of hope and survival since his HIV diagnosis over 15 years ago, Johnson hopes to empower people to take control of their health by getting tested and educated about the risks in order to fight this continued crisis in the African-American community. The Town Hall Meeting provides a forum to engage the Miamicommunity while the Student Address focuses on young people, who accounted for 61 percent of diagnoses among African Americans (under the age of 25 between 2001-2004). Johnson will ask each member of the audience to "stand with Magic" and share information about HIV prevention and education with others in the community.

"Every day, there are more and more people who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS . But more alarming is the fact that many people may be unknowingly infecting others because they do not know they have the virus. We need to take it upon ourselves to bring the number of new infections down by arming ourselves with knowledge," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "Getting tested for HIV can be an intimidating step for many people. I hope by talking openly to at-risk populations, people in Miami will have the courage to be tested — the first step to managing HIV."

A Team Effort

This initiative is a collaborative effort between Johnson, the Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott. The hope is such visits will encourage individual populations to take advantage of community resources and help keep individuals and loved ones healthy.

"Abbott is working closely with Earvin "Magic" Johnson to tackle today's most pressing health care and social issues, such as the alarming rate in HIV infection affecting African-American and other underserved communities," said Lance Scott, divisional vice president, Pharmaceutical Specialty Operations, Abbott. "Joining forces, we believe that through increased awareness, testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS, we can make a positive impact on the lives of people in Miami."

HIV/AIDS in Miami

• Miami had the third highest rate of AIDS cases for major cities (51,539) in the United States (2004).
• Miami has the second highest rate (11,174) of African Americans who are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States (2004 Ryan-White Care ACT eligible).
• Miami has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS cases in Florida (27,964 in 2004).

HIV/AIDS in the United States

• Since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans account for over 40 percent of the nearly 1 million AIDS cases diagnosed, and have represented over 50 percent of deaths among African Americans with AIDS in the United States.
• In 2005, the rate of AIDS diagnoses for African-Americans was approximately
• 10 times the rate of Caucasians and almost three times that of Hispanics.
• Additionally, AIDS disproportionately affected African-American women with a diagnosis rate almost 23 times that of Caucasian women in 2005.

About "I Stand With Magic"

Through the "I Stand With Magic" program, Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation are joining forces to address the alarming rate of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. Through this partnership, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Abbott will create educational activities and testing events in cities with high HIV infection rates. In 2006, the initiative embarked on a 10-city tour of high schools and counseling centers across the nation to provide HIV testing, education and additional resources for HIV-positive individuals.  In 2007, the program has visited almost 200 churches, high schools and colleges. For more information and to "stand with Magic" in the fight against HIV/AIDS, visit http://www.istandwithmagic.com.

About the Magic Johnson Foundation

The Magic Johnson Foundation was established in 1991 as a single-disease organization that works to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. The Foundation has since responded to the growing need to address all aspects of our youth's lives by expanding its mission. This expanded mission emphasizes the Foundation's focus on supporting community-based organizations and development programs that serve the health, educational and social needs of those residing in minority communities.

About Abbott

Abbott has been a leader in HIV/AIDS research since the early years of the epidemic. In 1985, the company developed the first licensed test to detect HIV antibodies in the blood and remains a leader in HIV diagnostics. Abbott retroviral and hepatitis tests are used to screen more than half of the world's donated blood supply. Abbott has developed two protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

 

Media: Julie Herlocker

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