get smart about health Aetna and Magic Johnson say understanding is key
take their health seriously. His Magic Johnson Foundation Earvin “Magic” Johnson, bas- (www.magicjohnson.com) was ketball legend and proven entre- founded to raise funds for compreneur, has some surprising munity-based organizations information about staying well. focused on HIV/AIDS educaHe notes that age, education tion and prevention. Its misand money are not the most sion has expanded to address important ingredients to main- broader educational, health taining good health. and social needs of ethnically “It’s literacy. That’s how well diverse urban communities. The you read, write and process former legendary Los Angeles information.1 More than 90 Lakers basketball star launched million Americans struggle to Magic Johnson Enterprises understand what their doctors (MJE) which is comprised of tell them.2 This means they are a portfolio of companies that less likely to follow their docinclude several companies like tors’ orders and less likely to get Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, a regular check-ups. And they are real estate company focused on more likely to be hospitalized.3” urban communities. (see “MJE Johnson, who has success— from basketball to busifully battled the HIV virus, ness,” page 8). In an effort to support those hopes that more people will Urban Call Staff Writer
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AARP Magazine
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Natalie Cole
Aetna Chairman
Sidney Poitier
Ronald Williams
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who are underserved in health care access, he has established an alliance with the health insurance company Aetna. “I want to make sure that our community is healthy and strong and that we’re healthy and strong,” said Johnson. Ronald A. Williams, Aetna’s chairman and CEO, agrees. “Both Aetna and MJE are committed to improving community vitality by helping reduce the number of uninsured, particularly among entrepreneurial, urban business owners, and we want to improve racial and ethnic equality in health care,” he Earvin "Magic" Johnson urges families to get health check-ups. said. 1 Wolf, MS, Gazmararian, JA, Baker, DW, “Health Literacy and Functional Health Status Among Older Adults,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 165 (Sept. 26, 2005) p. 1946-52
2 Institute of Medicine, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion (Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 2004). 3 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
Aetna's Rx for Health Literacy
AARP® celebrates 50th anniversary
9 Earvin "Magic" Johnson
By Rose M. Walsh
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Magic's Secrets
“Literacy and Health Outcomes,” Evidence Report/ Technology Assessment No. 87 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004).
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