Walgreens introduces Way to Well Commitment program
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced the implementation of its Walgreens Way to Well Commitment program, a new Walgreens initiative geared toward improving the everyday health of Americans nationwide.
To kick off the Way to Well Commitment, more than 7,600 Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics now are offering free blood pressure testing daily throughout February, an offering announced on “The Dr. Oz Show.”
"Way to Well is our commitment to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection," stated Walgreens president and CEO 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."
Through the Way to Well Commitment, Walgreens will bring $100 million in preventive healthcare resources, health-testing services and charitable programs to its stores over the next four years.
Walgreens realized the value in these types of programs and services during free diabetes health-testing offerings 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% of patients testing "at risk" and consulting with Walgreens healthcare providers about their results.
In partnership with some of 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 — Walgreens 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 Choose You Movement; and
October/November — Health programs and testing to be offered in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and National Diabetes Awareness Month (November).
In addition, the 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.