'Magic' Johnson contiunes campaign against HIV
Issue date: 7/20/08 Section: Cover
"The most difficult thing is just taking the meds," he went on to say, "you know, when you're not used to doing that and I would say that was the most difficult [part]; just over and over again training your mind to just do it. That's the one that I stress, is make sure you take your meds … when I first announced [my status] everybody's like, 'ok, I'm going to get tested'. And now what we're seeing is a lot of people go get tested, but they just don't go back for their results. We have to change that."
He cited regular testing as being a crucial factor in having a chance to stay on top of the virus. "With early detection, just like me, you can be here for long time. We're finding in our communities you wait till you get sick and then something's wrong with you. Now, even the drugs are not going to work. That's why we're encouraging everyone to go out and get tested."
Statistics show that the numbers continue to increase year after year. In Michigan alone, at the end of 2006 African Americans made up 57% of persons living with the virus, and approximately two-thirds (64%) of all persons currently living with HIV in Michigan are located in the Detroit Metro Area, where 45 percent of the state's population resides.
"The devastating thing is that when you look at the numbers here in Michigan is that [ages] 13-20, the numbers are rising with people coming down with HIV," said Johnson. "And the people 20-24, it's the same situation. So, we have a problem with young people. We have to somehow affect change when you think about HIV and AIDS, not only in the state of Michigan, but here in Detroit."
For more information about the "I Stand With Magic" program and the Magic Johnson Foundation, please visit www.magicjohnson.com and for more information about Abbott, please visit www.abbott.com.
He cited regular testing as being a crucial factor in having a chance to stay on top of the virus. "With early detection, just like me, you can be here for long time. We're finding in our communities you wait till you get sick and then something's wrong with you. Now, even the drugs are not going to work. That's why we're encouraging everyone to go out and get tested."
Statistics show that the numbers continue to increase year after year. In Michigan alone, at the end of 2006 African Americans made up 57% of persons living with the virus, and approximately two-thirds (64%) of all persons currently living with HIV in Michigan are located in the Detroit Metro Area, where 45 percent of the state's population resides.
"The devastating thing is that when you look at the numbers here in Michigan is that [ages] 13-20, the numbers are rising with people coming down with HIV," said Johnson. "And the people 20-24, it's the same situation. So, we have a problem with young people. We have to somehow affect change when you think about HIV and AIDS, not only in the state of Michigan, but here in Detroit."
For more information about the "I Stand With Magic" program and the Magic Johnson Foundation, please visit www.magicjohnson.com and for more information about Abbott, please visit www.abbott.com.
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matchmakingsex
posted 3/31/10 @ 3:57 AM EST
This article is amazing. I?m going to spend so much time procrastinating on here. I?m not quite sure if I should be thanking you, or cursing you
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