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what impact has magic johnson had on views, advancement, and treatment of people with aids

by Ruthe Dickens II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Magic Johnson has helped change the way the public views AIDS/HIV. When Magic Johnson announced he was retiring from the Lakers due to testing HIV positive in 1991, America knew close to nothing about the disease.

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What did Magic Johnson say about AIDS?

Nov 08, 2016 · On the 25th anniversary of Magic Johnson disclosing he had AIDS, researchers say even with treatment advances, prevention remains the best medicine. DUARTE, California (KABC) -- Twenty five years ...

What happened to Magic Johnson?

Mar 04, 2022 · AIDS is now ten years, according to experts," wrote Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times on Nov. 8, 1991, reacting to Johnson's announcement. Over 30 years later, the now-62-year-old Johnson is ...

Does Magic Johnson live up to his popularity?

These people—and many others—had a remarkable impact on the course of the AIDS epidemic. But none of them possessed Magic Johnson’s ability to …

How did Bill Johnson survive HIV and AIDS?

Nov 22, 2018 · In 1991, LA Lakers’ star Magic Johnson shocked the world when he announced he was HIV-positive, vastly evolving the way we thought about the virus. In front of a …

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3. Magic Johnson has helped change the way the public views AIDS/HIV. When Magic Johnson announced he was retiring from the Lakers due to testing HIV positive in 1991, America knew close to nothing about the disease.

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What was Magic Johnson's impact on society?

Magic Johnson has benefitted modern society by making the NBA more popular with fans and inspiring many African Americans to play in the basketball in the NBA, raising awareness, money, and knowledge about the HIV/AIDS virus, and helping disadvantaged populations with his community empowerment program.

Does Magic Johnson give AIDS?

Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award.
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Magic Johnson.
Personal information
Number32
Career history
As player:
1979–1991, 1996Los Angeles Lakers
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When did Magic Johnson reveal AIDS?

On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

What happened to Magic Johnson?

On Nov. 7, 1991, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson shocked the world when he announced that he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. After the press conference, the perception was that Johnson had just pronounced his own death sentence.

What drugs does Johnson take?

Medication can disrupt these processes, and to that end, Johnson is currently taking reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor drugs , which are contained in the pharmaceuticals Trizivir and Kaletra, respectively, as reported by Newsweek.

What is the enzyme that turns HIV into double stranded DNA?

The most common drugs in the HAART regimen target two of the enzymes that HIV uses to replicate itself. The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA.

What is stopping HIV in the back court?

Stopping HIV in the back court. The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into full-blown AIDS. Upon infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. But some small number remain, and over time, ...

How does HIV spread?

HIV spreads by hijacking a subset of white blood cells called T cells, which are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders, and using the cells' DNA to make copies of itself or replicate; in this process, these T cells get destroyed.

How long does it take for AIDS to kill?

At that critical count, a person is considered to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); with the body’s immunological defenses destroyed, it's usually only a matter of months before a range of opportunistic infections and cancers complete their lethal work.

Can HIV be managed without drugs?

Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances an HIV -positive person can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy.

How many lives have been saved by Magic Johnson?

Although it may seem callous to say so, millions of Americans are lucky that Magic Johnson was infected with H.I.V. There is no way of calculating how many lives he has saved. No advertising agency could have invented a better, or more effective, role model. So let us thank Donald Sterling for helping remind us what we owe Magic Johnson, for his contributions to a struggle that is still far from over. Thirty-five million people have died since the AIDS epidemic began. At least two million more are infected every year. The only people who should be ashamed about that are those who believe viruses make moral judgments and choose their victims accordingly. I don’t know how many Americans think that way, but one of them owns the Los Angeles Clippers.

Why was the AIDS law named after White?

White died in 1990, and the first essential American AIDS legislation is named after him, because he was an “innocent” young white boy—congressional leaders refused even to consider naming the law after a gay man or a minority.

Why was Ryan White expelled from high school?

Ryan White was the sweet, sad teen-ager who was expelled from his high school in Kokomo, Indiana, because he had been infected, through a tainted blood transfusion.

Who was Ronald Johnson?

As Ronald Johnson, who was then executive director of the New York-based Minority Task Force on AIDS, told me at the time, “This is a tragedy beyond measure for Mr. Johnson and his family. But for the first time this could convince people in our community that when it comes to this disease we are all very much at risk.”.

Did Johnson resign from the National Commission on AIDS?

Moreover, like Koop, Johnson turned out to have deep wells of integrity. President George Bush appointed him to the National Commission on AIDS. But, as soon as Johnson realized that the commission did nothing, he resigned, contending in a highly publicized letter to the President that he had “dropped the ball.".

When did Magic Johnson get HIV?

Magic Johnson shocked the world when he announced he had contracted the HIV virus back in 1991. Despite the bombshell he’d just dropped, Johnson seemed calm, strong and filled with life – he spoke of "life" and "living" six separate times during his announcement.

When did Magic Johnson become HIV positive?

In 1991 , LA Lakers’ star Magic Johnson shocked the world when he announced he was HIV-positive, vastly evolving the way we thought about the virus. In front of a packed room of journalists, Magic Johnson made the announcement that would forever change the public perception of HIV.

How old is Magic Johnson?

Magic Johnson turned 59 this year, and looks fantastic for his age. He has lived with HIV for 27 years. He is President of the LA Lakers and heads up Magic Johnson Enterprises, which is worth north of one billion US dollars. Johnson still plays basketball every day.

What was the main concern of the 1991 virus?

The main concern was transmission through sweat, which shows the level of misinformation surrounding the virus in 1991. Stern’s quick actions were to be tested just three months after Magic’s announcement when Johnson stepped out of retirement to play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game. Magic came out of retirement to play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, ...

How many points did Magic score in the 1992 All Star Game?

Magic came out of retirement to play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, scoring 25 points and the Most Valuable Player award. Many expected a frail shadow of his former self, but Magic shocked crowds by playing one of his finest matches in years, scoring a game-high 25 points and winning the MVP award.

What was HIV in the 80s?

Throughout the ‘80s and leading into the ‘90s, HIV was a condition mostly seen as something that afflicted gay white men from cities or poor drug addicts who shared needles with abandon.

When did Ronald Reagan first acknowledge the AIDS epidemic?

US President Ronald Reagan wouldn’t publicly acknowledge the existence of the disease until 1985 , with his first public address on the epidemic not being until May 1987 after over 25,000 Americans had already died from AIDS.

What is Magic Johnson's business?

Magic Johnson founded MJ Enterprises in 1987 and focused on improving minority communities by bringing quality businesses to diverse urban areas. This includes the expansion of movie theaters, restaurants, sports teams, a television network (Aspire) and even fitness centers that aim to “answer the demands of minority areas.” Not only does MJ Enterprises work to celebrate the African-American experience, but by fostering new businesses, Johnson has created many job opportunities for minorities and has created a breeding ground for the next generation of African-American business executives, presidents and CEOs. He could’ve just sat on his millions after his impressive sports career, but Magic used his clout and resources for a second act as a businessman and philanthropist earning him nods like a spot on Black Enterprise’s 50 Most Powerful Blacks in Sports in 2005.

What is Magic Johnson Foundation?

After announcing he was HIV positive in 1991, Magic Johnson formed what is now called “one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations in the world ”, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF). MJF “works to develop programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities” and particularly aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through education. Johnson serves as chairman and CEO of the foundation and according to CNN.com, has raised over $20 million and given out almost $4 million in scholarships since it beginning in the early 1990s.

How many NBA championships did Magic Johnson win?

In his 13 years with the team, Magic earned five NBA championships, three MVP awards and was a 12-time All-Star. He also joined the “Dream Team” in the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona and earned the US a gold medal in the first year professional athletes could take part in the Olympic games. But more than just his killer statistics, Magic is often cited for changing the way the game was played. The “big player with the big heart” was the ultimate sportsman and team player with unselfish passes and assists to make others look good.

How many people are battling HIV?

Researchers continue to study long-term nonprogressors for get insights on HIV resistance that could help the 33 million people battling the virus.

How long does it take for HIV to kill off?

But some small number remain, and over time, those HIV cells replicate, and replicate, and replicate. Then, usually 10 years after the initial infection, the viral load reaches a critical count, and the virus begins killing off the vital immune cells that protect us against infections.

How does HIV spread?

HIV spreads by hijacking a subset of white blood cells called T cells, which are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders, and using the cells' DNA to make copies of itself or replicate; in this process , these T cells get destroyed. The most common drugs in the HAART regimen target two of the enzymes that HIV uses to replicate itself.

Does low viral count help with HIV?

Not only does a low viral count stave off symptoms of HIV and AIDS, but it also slashes the odds of a randomly mutated copy of the virus emerging that can prove resistant to the therapy. Furthermore, a low viral load severely reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Is HIV medication expensive?

Although these and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," Lieb noted, so are a substantial number of prescription drugs for much more everyday diseases.

Can HIV be managed without drugs?

Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances an HIV -positive person can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy.

What does it mean when magic has an undetectable HIV?

A level of a person’s HIV viral load is what causes them to be more or less likely to transmit the disease. An undetectable viral load reduces the likelihood of transmission by 100 percent. Once a person achieves an undetectable status, it is possible to remain at this level provided that the person is compliant with their ART medication.

Did Magic Johnson have HIV?

The news of Magic Johnson having HIV forever changed the NBA, the Lakers franchise, all professional sports, and the world. Many wondered how the virus could have crept into the heterosexual realm, which at the time, was still considered a gay man’s or drug users disease.

Did Magic get the virus?

Part of Magic's narrative around his transmission is that he contracted the virus from heterosexual sex, which is still hard for some to believe and even leads them to question the basketball legend's sexual orientation.

Did Cookie get HIV?

Yes, when Cookie found out that Magic was HIV-positive, they had been having unprotected sex -- as most married couples do -- and she was even pregnant at the time. While others in her same situation might have tested positive, it just happened that she didn't. (Remember: Transmission isn't always cut and dry.

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