Home › Blogs › Natural Solutions Radio's blog

Abbott signs 'Magic' Johnson for AIDS effort

Submitted by Natural Solutio... on Mon, 2006-04-10 11:04
in

Monday, April 10, 2006

Associated Press

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. -- Abbott Laboratories has signed basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson as part of its AIDS research efforts.

Abbott, which makes drugs used to fight AIDS and other diseases, said it is teaming with Johnson and his foundation to address health disparities in minority communities through a multiyear, nationwide education effort.

Abbott said it will join with Johnson to create educational platforms in cities with a high prevalence of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS. Johnson, who has the virus, established the Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991 to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with AIDS education and prevention programs.

Free, confidential testing and counseling will be offered through the partnership. A 10-city tour will begin today in Chicago.

"Minority communities are faced with challenging health obstacles as a result of social and cultural factors -- but we can change that," Johnson said in a statement released by Abbott. "I am thrilled to be teaming up with Abbott to make a difference and build awareness among vulnerable populations about health risks to which they may be socially disadvantaged."