Press Release

Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Abbott Bring "I Stand With Magic Program," Part of the "Campaign to End Black HIV/AIDS" to Washington, D.C.

April 30, 2008

Washington, D.C. — Today, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Abbott (NYSE: ABT)are bringing their program aiming to reduce new HIV infections among African Americans to Washington D.C. The district had the highest rate of reported new AIDS cases nationally in 2006, and the "I Stand With Magic" program will urge the city's students, patients and community leaders to mobilize their resources, get educated, get tested and seek treatment for HIV.

The program's emphasis is on African-American and other minority communities where new HIV infections are prevalent. About half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among African Americans, who represent about 13 percent of the population. In 2006, 81 percent of reported new HIV cases in Washington, D.C. residents were in African Americans.

At Howard University's Armour J. Blackburn University Center in Washington, D.C., Johnson also will be joined by local HIV/AIDS clinicians, who will provide the medical perspective on HIV/AIDS. Whitman Walker Clinic and Family Medical and Counseling Services, which is part of an AIDS Service Organization, will be offering free, rapid HIV testing at Howard University and New Samaritan Full Baptist Church, on April 30, 2008 at Howard University from 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. and at New Samaritan Full Baptist Church on the same date from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Johnson is reaching out to minority communities in Washington, D.C.and cities across the country. By sharing his story of hope and survival since his HIV diagnosis more than 16 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 Washington, D.C. community 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, 33 states reporting). 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 Washington, D.C.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 that such visits will encourage individual populations to take advantage of community resources and help keep individuals and loved ones healthy.

"By joining forces with Earvin "Magic" Johnson, we believe that through increased awareness, testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS, we can make a positive impact on the lives of people in Washington, D.C.,"said Lance Scott, divisional vice president, Pharmaceutical Specialty Operations, Abbott.

HIV/AIDS in Washington, D.C.

• As of the end of 2006, Washington, D.C. had the highest rate of reported new AIDS cases nationally.
• In 2006, the total AIDS mortality rate in Washington, D.C. was nearly 10 times the national mortality rate.
• Although black women constitute only 58 percent of Washington D.C.'s female population, they account for 90 percent of all new female HIV cases.

HIV/AIDS in the United States

• Since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans account for over 40 percent of the nearly one million AIDS cases diagnosed. Through 2005, 53 percent of the African Americans diagnosed with AIDS have died.
• 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 affects 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 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. For more information, please visit www.magicjohnson.org.

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 more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

 

Media: Julie Herlocker

(847) 936-6116