January 12, 2007

Baltimore, Maryland. The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is partnering with Johnson & Johnson to help strengthen an IYF-supported peer-to-peer HIV/AIDS prevention program in Zambia. The program – “Empowering Africa’s Young People Initiative (EAYPI)” – has had past success in Tanzania, Uganda, and areas within Zambia. New support from Johnson & Johnson will allow IYF to expand capacity building activities in five EAYPI peer education programs operating in 10 Zambia districts, primarily through training and technical assistance to peer educator supervisors, new educational tool kits, and the distribution of materials designed to change risky behaviors among youth participants.

EAYPI in Zambia works with five major youth organizations: the Girl Guides of Zambia, the Zambia Scouts Association, the Zambia YWCA, and the Zambia Red Cross. Over the next two years, Johnson & Johnson’s support enables IYF to train 100 peer educator supervisors and 2,000 peer educators who educate other youth in their communities about how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and lead a healthy life.

“We recognize the critical roles that a strong health education and honest dialogue can have on young people’s ability to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS,” says Rene Kiamba, Manager, Sub-Saharan Programs, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Contributions Fund. “IYF’s work in Zambia and other African nations to build community-supported educational programs to thwart the disease is having a measured, life-changing impact on youth participants. We are delighted to help in this effort.”

Young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection -- with girls ages 14 to 19 six times more likely to be infected than boys in the same age group. “We know from recent surveys that efforts to raise awareness around transmission of HIV/AIDS is an effective strategy among at-risk youth,” says William S. Reese, President and CEO of IYF. “So we are pleased that Johnson & Johnson is working with us to strengthen a program that is already helping young people to stay healthy and make better decisions in their lives.”

EAYPI is funded through a US$ 8.5 million grant from the President’s Emergency Planfor AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and is designed to foster the skills and confidence among young people that will enable them to act responsibility and change at-risk behaviors. The Initiative’s goal over five years is to scale up skills-based, peer education programs and mobilize the broader community in the three designated countries. The focus of these efforts – which includes training 40,000 peer educators and through them reaching 500,000 youths, ages 10 to 25 – is to promote abstinence and, in sexually active people, monogamous relationships.

About the International Youth Foundation (IYF)
Currently operating in 70 countries and territories, the International Youth Foundation is dedicated to preparing young people worldwide to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Established in 1990, IYF works with companies, foundations, governments, and civil society organizations to strengthen and scale up proven programs that are making a positive and lasting difference in young lives. Together with its partners around the world, IYF concentrates on four key areas: education, employability, health, and leadership and engagement. For more information, please visit www.iyfnet.org

About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products serving the consumer, pharmaceutical and professional markets. The Company has its worldwide headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., where the business was founded over a century ago. For more information, please visit www.jnj.com

Contact:
Peter Shiras, Vice President, Health Education and Awareness
Tel.: +1-410-951-1607
Email: p.shiras@iyfnet.org