Magic’s foundation makes its HIV/AIDS campaign more sociableThe Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbot Labs has made it easier to find out how to fight HIV/AIDS by launching a Facebook page for the former NBA start’s pet project, the I Stand With Magic campaign. By using this social networking site, the Magic Johnson Foundation hopes that and moe young people will get involved with efforts to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in African-American communities. Facebook “provides a new opportunity for individuals to personally engage, educate and urge their family, friends and colleagues across Facebook’s active online community to protect their health by knowing their HIV status, which is the first and most important, step in the fight against the HIV epidemic,” the organization wrote in a statement. In addition to providing information on HIV/AIDS, testing resources and upcoming events, the Facebook group features the new public service announcements (PSAs) directed by Academy Award-nominated director Spike Lee. The PSAs feature Johnson and his wife Cookie, discussing the need for African Americans to get educated, get tested and seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.What is Lil Eazy doing to fight HIV/AIDS?Vital Signs: What is Lil Eazy, the son of the rap legend Eazy E, who died of AIDS, doing to further his father’s legacy? He’s taken on the fight to get young people to take the HIV test. Read more about how he became involved in this effort at Vital Signs.Child booster seats for older children are now required in more states todayThe law that requires that children be placed in booster seats while riding in a car is changing in some states. Now, children who ride in cars must ride in the booster seats until they are age 8 instead of age 6, and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall, in states such as Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts and a few other states. In Mississippi, only children up to age 6 will be required to use the special child restraint. The new requirement goes into effect today in those states, and those who do not comply face penalties and fines. “It’s estimated that about 50 percent of the children who die in motor vehicle accidents every year die because they are improperly restrained,” said Michael Hughes, Safe Kids Mississippi Executive Director. “So it will save a tremendous amount of lives.” Booster seats are placed under children to raise them up so that their seat belts, which are designed for adults, fit them properly. Fines for those who do not use the seats for their children range from $25 to $165. The law requiring older children up to age 9 to use booster seats is now in effect in 43 states.

Comments (1)