Sam's Club Pharmacy to host free health screenings for diabetes

To promote early detection and an overall healthy lifestyle that can help prevent the onset of diabetes, Sam's Club Pharmacy will host free health screenings Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans, and an estimated 79 million have pre-diabetes, the potentially reversible condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

The free screenings are administered by licensed technicians from Carmen Ingle & Associates and are available to the public at the 571 Sam's Club locations with a pharmacy. The diabetes awareness screening event features tests valued at up to $200, while supplies last, including:

• A1c blood test –used by people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to measure average blood sugar levels and confirm treatment plans are working
• Glucose screening – Glucose tests indicate how much sugar is in blood, allowing for knowledgeable management of diet and exercise schedules
• Blood pressure
• BMI (body mass index)
• Vision

Health screening participants in select cities can also pick up a postcard from the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program to evaluate their risk for pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help people adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, and has served approximately 12,000 people nationwide.

"Understanding symptoms that lead to diabetes can help Americans establish a plan to live a healthier lifestyle," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam's Club Health and Wellness. "We are glad to collaborate with YMCA of the USA to expand awareness for diabetes prevention and provide a free, important service to more than 620 US communities."

YMCA of the USA announced a $1.25 million grant from the Sam's Club Giving Program today that will expand healthy living opportunities in underserved communities through the YMCA of the USA. Specifically, the grant is helping the YMCA to expand its Healthier Communities Initiatives to address health disparities among minority individuals and families and the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program. Through the Initiative, the YMCA will also link healthcare providers, clinical settings and community-based organizations to predominately African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino communities to help guide individuals and families to appropriate programs. 

Sam's Club Pharmacy locations provide savings, services and preventive care to members and the public, including $4/$10 generic prescription prices, additional savings on name-brand prescriptions for Savings members, and Plus member access to the Extra Value Drug List, which features 10 to 30 percent savings on select name-brand and generic prescriptions.  Sam's Club also provides pharmacist-administered flu shots and 9 other important adult immunizations that help to prevent against serious disease.

Sam's Club features pharmacy benefits and health tips about diabetes and the importance of regular check-ups in the September/October 2013 issue of Healthy Living Made Simple magazine. With the highest circulation of any health-focused publication at 8 million, Healthy Living Made Simple is available at Sam's Club Pharmacy, Member Service counters and online at SamsClub.com/healthyliving.