Earvin 'Magic' Johnson and Abbott Bring 'I Stand with Magic' Program: Part of the Campaign to End Black HIV/AIDS to Facebook Community

In conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, the Magic Johnson Foundation, http://www.magicjohnson.org and Abbott (NYSE: ABT), http://www.abbott.com, launched a new Facebook group to further engage young adults in the "I Stand With Magic", http://istandwithmagic.com, program's efforts to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community.

-- By utilizing Facebook's wide-reaching social media network, the "I Stand With Magic" program is continuing its commitment to reach young people nationwide and encourage them to get educated, get tested and seek treatment for HIV.

-- The Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14932322719, provides a new opportunity for individuals to personally engage, educate and urge their family, friends and colleagues across Facebook's active online community to protect their health by knowing their HIV status, which is the first and most important, step in the fight against the HIV epidemic.

"I Stand With Magic" PSAs Directed by Spike Lee

In addition to providing information on HIV/AIDS, testing resources and upcoming events, the Facebook group features the new public service announcements (PSAs) directed by Academy Award-nominated director Spike Lee.

-- The PSAs feature Johnson and his wife Cookie, discussing the need for African Americans to get educated, get tested and seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.

-- The first PSA, entitled "Stand" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrEupbKd274), focuses on a "call to action" for African Americans to address the epidemic in their communities

-- The second PSA, titled "Talk" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dwMsDg5-iY), encourages women to protect themselves and talk to their partners about HIV.

-- The PSA campaign premieres nationally this summer and is targeted toward African-American and other minority communities.

"I Stand With Magic Program," Part of the "Campaign to End Black HIV/AIDS"

The "I Stand With Magic" program focuses on African-American and other minority communities where new HIV infections are increasingly prevalent. About half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among African Americans, who represent about 13 percent of the population.

-- 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, the Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott have created 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 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.

Quotes

Scott Luce

Divisional Vice President, Pharmaceutical Specialty Operations, Abbott

"The 'I Stand With Magic' Facebook group is an exciting new endeavor for the program and furthers our efforts to empower others to take a stand and help combat this epidemic. National HIV Testing Day reminds us of how important it is for communities everywhere to encourage friends and family to get tested and seek treatment."

HIV/AIDS in the United States

-- Since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans account for more than 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 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 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.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.