DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb. 1, 2011 - Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the U.S., while diabetes is the nation’s fastest-growing disease over the past decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These and other diseases all have an over-arching need for accessible, affordable resources for prevention and early detection – a need that is the foundation and inspiration for the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment™, a new Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) initiative to improve the everyday health of Americans nationwide.
Through the Way to Well Commitment, Walgreens will bring $100 million in preventive health care resources, health testing services and charitable programs to its stores and thousands of communities in all 50 states over the next four years.
To kick off the Way to Well Commitment, more than 7,600 Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics are now offering free blood pressure testing daily throughout February, as announced on “The Dr. Oz Show” today.
“Way to Well is our commitment to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection,” said Walgreens President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Wasson. “As a health and daily living retailer trusted by millions of consumers every day, our ongoing effort is to help people get well, stay well and live well.”
The Walgreens Way to Well Commitment™
As part of the Way to Well Commitment, Walgreens is working with the nation’s top health organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Along with these organizations and community leaders, Walgreens stores and Take Care Clinics will offer a range of free health testing services, including blood glucose, A1C and blood pressure, as well as other wellness programs over the next four years. Currently scheduled programs include:
- February – Heart Health Month: free blood pressure testing at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics daily throughout February.
- May – Women’s Health Month: educational campaign in partnership with the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Choose You™ Movement. While one in three U.S. women will get cancer in her lifetime, about 50 percent of cancer deaths could be prevented through a greater emphasis on early detection and healthier lifestyles, according to ACS.
- October/November – Health programs and testing to be offered in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and National Diabetes Awareness Month (November).
The importance of these programs and services can be seen in results from Walgreens free diabetes health testing, held at select stores and Take Care Clinics over three time periods from November 2009 through November 2010. Nearly 300,000 blood glucose and A1C tests were administered during these events, with more than 25 percent of patients testing “at risk” and consulting with Walgreens health care providers about their results.
"These are the types of valuable health care services we’ll look to expand into other critical areas with the help of our Way to Well Commitment partners,” Wasson said.
Walgreens Brand Products Give Back Through Way to Well Fund
Beginning today, purchase of every Walgreens brand health and wellness product will support bringing Way to Well Commitment services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™, up to $3 million annually.
The Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ will also provide preventive health tests through the National Urban League Walgreens Wellness Tour and vouchers for services redeemable at select Walgreens stores. For more information on Walgreens Way to Well Commitment™, visit www.walgreens.com/waytowell.
Free Blood Pressure Testing Details
Blood pressure testing is available to adults ages 18 and over at Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics every day throughout February, during regular pharmacy and clinic hours, as announced on “The Dr. Oz Show” today. In the segment, Dr. Oz and Walgreens pharmacist Stacia Woodcock discuss blood pressure management, the importance of knowing your blood pressure numbers and the simple steps people can take to potentially save their lives.
Each blood pressure test includes a free consultation from a Walgreens pharmacist or Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner. For more information or to find the nearest location, visit www.walgreens.com/findastore.
More than 76 million people in the U.S. age 20 and older have high blood pressure, American Heart Association statistics show. Of those, the association says about 22 percent are unaware of their condition, making hypertension one of the leading health conditions that can be controlled or managed through early detection.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,655 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
Walgreen Co. Corporate Communications
Tiffani Washington, (847) 315-2925
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