Aetna, Magic Johnson Enterprises to Host Free “Magic@50” Community Health & Fitness Expo in Atlanta

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna (NYSE:ΑET) announced today that it and Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) will be co-hosting a free “Magic@50” Community Health & Fitness EXPO on Saturday, May 15, at the Vicars Community Center (838 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311).

“32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business.”

The EXPO is free and open to the public, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of free screenings from local health care professionals will be available to attendees at the EXPO. This includes screenings for HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure and proper dental care.

There will be a number of other activities taking place throughout the day, including cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Marvin Woods at 10 and 12:30. From 11:15-12:30, there will be a panel discussion among local health care leaders focusing on key health and wellness issues in Atlanta’s African-American community, with emphasis on the impact to people age 50 and above.

Following the panel, Aetna’s Laurel Levy will present on behalf of the Aetna Foundation a grant for $40,000 to Vanetta Keyes, the president and executive director of the Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully, Inc. (CHOICES). CHOICES promotes weight management and lifestyle changes through nutrition education, peer socialization, physical activity and community involvement.

"Aetna and Magic Johnson Enterprises are both committed to helping people understand the health resources available to them, and encouraging them to take a more active role in their health and wellness,” said Floyd Green, head of Community Relations and Urban Marketing for Aetna. "This EXPO is a great example of how we are working together to reach people in their community and provide them with valuable information that can help them lead healthier lives."

In addition to the free health screenings, cooking demonstration, panel discussion and grant presentation, there will be nearly 30 informational exhibitor booths from community organizations and businesses dedicated to health, wellness and fitness.

Before the EXPO starts, there will also be a three-mile “fitness walk” led by the Concerned Black Clergy nonprofit organization (this walk will begin at the Kroger on 3425 Cascade Road). The Grand Marshall of this walk is “General” Larry Platt, a prominent civil rights activist in Atlanta who recently gained fame for his audition performance on the ninth season of American Idol.

Attendees at the event will also have the chance to enter raffles for autographed memorabilia from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, including a basketball and jersey as well as copies of his book, “32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business.” Mr. Johnson will not attend the expo, but his likeness and voice will be part of a special “Magic@50” advertising campaign that will include direct mail and placements in local newspapers and on local radio stations.

Additional “Magic@50” activities

This EXPO is the continuation of the “Magic@50” campaign that Aetna and MJE started in November 2008. Since that time, other highly successful free “Magic@50” Community Health & Fitness EXPOs have taken place in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. In addition, last October, Mr. Johnson delivered a presentation sponsored by Aetna to more than 4,000 individuals at AARP’s National Event & EXPO, Vegas@50+. This presentation focused on the importance of improving health literacy and maintaining health and wellness for people over 50.

Later this year, Aetna and MJE will team up to hold two more “Magic@50” Community Health & Fitness EXPOs in Detroit and Oakland, California.

Grassroots promotion of the “Magic@50” Community Health & Fitness EXPO is coming from distribution of 25,000 free community newspapers throughout the Atlanta market. Entitled Urban Call, this publication features informative health-related articles on behalf of Aetna and Magic Johnson Enterprises.

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. More local event information can be found at www.facebook.com/magicat50.

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