The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) has been honored by the Global Business Coalition (GBC) for leading the global fight against HIV and AIDS. Dow was one of three companies to receive a GBC "commendation" in the Workplace/Workforce Engagement category of the 2011 Business Action on Health Awards. The award was for Dow's strong commitment to global health promotion in the workplace, and, in particular, the company's standard-setting HIV/AIDS program in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dow will be recognized with other companies at the GBC Awards Dinner in New York City on June 2, 2011, during the Coalition's 10th Anniversary Conference.

As a part of its global corporate health strategy, Dow has a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program of awareness and education for all of its sites, with a concentration on regions of greatest concern such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Brazil, Russia, India and China. For its workforce in South Africa, Dow initiated campaigns that targeted employees and their families, with profound results: an HIV incidence rate among employees in South Africa below 3 percent as of December 31, 2010, compared with an incidence rate of 15-20 percent among other manufacturing companies in the country.

"This recognition for our global health programming and in particular our success in fighting HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa is a special honor," says Cathy Baase, M.D., global director, Dow Health Services, The Dow Chemical Company. "Good health is essential to making sure our employees, communities and in particular vulnerable populations live the best life possible. The work by Dr. Murray Coombs and his team in South Africa is a wonderful example of the ways in which Dow lives out its global values on a local level. To be recognized for this work by such a prestigious organization makes us especially proud."

The GBC Business Action on Health Awards honor companies and organizations that commit themselves to the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. The 2011 awards winners were selected from 82 candidate companies, working on six continents and in more than 50 countries, whose programs demonstrate the vast range and powerful impact of business engagement on health. Thirty-eight finalists progressed through a rigorous assessment phase by GBC's external panel of judges, from which the winners were chosen.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: Dow) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.