Earvin “Magic“ Johnson To Speak At “Magic@50“ Community Health EXPO in Los Angeles
Submitted by editor on November 19, 2009 - 06:00
Event will also include free health screenings, panel discussion among local health care leaders
LOS ANGELES, Aetna (NYSE:AET) and Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) announced today that Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the featured speaker at a free “Magic@50” Community Health EXPO at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016) on Saturday, November 21.
The EXPO is free and open to the public, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mr. Johnson’s presentation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Entitled “Magic@50,” this presentation will focus partly on the efforts that Aetna and MJE have made since 2008 to help improve health literacy, particularly in diverse urban and suburban communities. In addition, Johnson will talk about his own personal experiences with turning 50 this past August, and the increased importance of improving health literacy and maintaining health and wellness for people over 50.
A number of local health care organizations will provide a wide range of free health screenings and services at the EXPO. This includes screenings for HIV, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In addition, there will be mammograms, basic oral care and exams and seasonal flu shots available to attendees (there will be no H1N1 flu shots).
At 9:45 a.m., there will be a panel discussion among local health care leaders focusing on key health and wellness issues, with an emphasis on citizens 45 years old and above. This discussion will be moderated by Dr. David Pryor, Aetna Medical Director in the West Region. In his current position, Dr. Pryor is responsible for leading the clinical staff in his region in the coordination of quality, cost effective care on behalf of Aetna members. He serves on Aetna’s Clinical Policy Council and is also a member of the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Health Disparities.
“The ‘Magic@50’ Community Health EXPO is a great opportunity for local residents to find helpful information and resources,” Dr. Pryor said. “Between what is sure to be an enthusiastic presentation from Mr. Johnson, the panel discussion with local health care leaders, and free health screenings, attendees should be able to find something that can truly help them lead healthier lives.”
In addition to the free screenings and panel discussion, there will be a number of informational exhibitor booths from local health care organizations. This includes AARP, as well as chapters of the American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Red Cross.
Attendees at the event will also have the chance to enter raffles for autographed memorabilia from Johnson, including a basketball and jersey as well as copies of his book, “32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business.” Attendees who receive two or more free health screenings will also have the opportunity to get their photo with Mr. Johnson after his presentation.
Additional “Magic@50” Activities
This EXPO is the continuation of the “Magic@50” campaign that Aetna and MJE started last November with a similar, highly successful free “Magic@50” Community Health EXPO in Chicago. Another Community Health EXPO took place earlier in November 2009 in Washington, D.C.
Just last month, Johnson delivered a presentation on the importance of improving health literacy and maintaining health and wellness for people over 50 to more than 4,000 individuals as a featured speaker at AARP’s National Event & EXPO, Vegas@50+.
To promote the ‘Magic@50’ Community Health EXPO in Los Angeles, Aetna is distributing approximately 40,000 free community newspapers throughout the Los Angeles market.. Entitled “Urban Call,” this publication features informative health-related articles on behalf of Aetna and Magic Johnson Enterprises. In addition, Aetna is reaching out to residents with a wide range of activities focused on the Community Health EXPO, including direct mail pieces to AARP members and newspaper advertising, as well as through church bulletin inserts and direct outreach to local ministers.
In addition, as part of this broader program, Aetna and MJE have developed a unique website (www.aetnamagicat50.com) that highlights various elements of the “Magic@50” campaign. The site includes event listings and a number of exclusive videos with Mr. Johnson describing how he has faced personal challenges with his health and in business, as well as ways that the Aetna/Magic Johnson Enterprises alliance can help improve health literacy. The site also contains articles from Urban Call on Aetna’s commitment to diversity and addressing racial and ethnic inequalities in health care, as well as a glossary of common health insurance terms.
Source: WEBWIRE
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