December 4, 2002
During a speech at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, former Los Angeles Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson said affordable medications to treat AIDS should be available to more people, especially minorities living in the inner cities. Johnson gave a brief speech on living with HIV, saying that new cases have been reported among blacks and women. He stressed the importance of AIDS education, especially in inner-city neighborhoods. Johnson, 43, who remains free of AIDS 11 years after his HIV diagnosis, said he exercises regularly and takes medications. He also said his positive attitude and religious faith have helped keep him healthy. The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture, "An Evening with Magic Johnson: A Perspective on HIV and AIDS," drew an estimated crowd of 4,000.