Former NBA Star Magic Johnson on Tour To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Black Youth

Former NBA star Magic Johnson on Thursday spoke in Washington, D.C., as part of a 10-city tour in partnership with Abbott Laboratories to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in black communities, especially among youth, the Washington Post reports. According to the Post, 40,000 people in the U.S. become HIV-positive every year, and blacks -- who account for 13% of the U.S. population -- make up about half that number. "I'm here so that what happened to me will not happen to you," Johnson said, adding, "HIV is running through our community in a big way. And sex among teenagers is up" (Pierre, Washington Post, 10/13). Johnson discovered he was HIV-positive in 1991 after a routine blood test, according to the Associated Press (Associated Press, 10/13).