Patients Get Free Screenings as Part of Health Mart Healthy Living Tour

The Health Mart Healthy Living Tour is on the road to celebrate and recognize community pharmacists for the key role they play as trusted healthcare providers in their communities by helping to educate and counsel people managing diabetes. The mobile screening unit is making 90 stops across 18 states this year.

In 2010, Health Mart Healthy Living Tour screened more than 3400 patients for diabetes. Nearly half (49.7%) were identified to be at risk for the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects more than 23.6 million Americans and another 57 million are likely to get the disease if they don’t alter their living habits.

On Saturday, August 13, Health Mart Healthy Living Tour offered FREE health screenings at the 7th Annual 13th Congressional District Health Fair, hosted by Congressman David Scott (D, GA). Aboard the Health Mart Healthy Living Tour’s 40-foot mobile screening unit, tour staff offered screenings that include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C tests.

The Tour, which runs through November 4 and is cosponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care and Novo Nordisk, aims to raise awareness of the growing diabetes epidemic. Tour screeners identify patients at risk and encourage those with diabetes to manage their condition with help from Health Mart pharmacists, who advise on ways to reduce medication spending and better understand drug regimens and complications.

Health Mart recognizes that community pharmacists are essential to the towns and cities they live and work in. The Health Mart Healthy Living Tour encourages those affected by diabetes to initiate conversations with their Health Mart pharmacists who serve as a valuable member of the healthcare team.

Additionally, Health Mart is rewarding 10 Health Mart pharmacists across the country for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide exemplary education, guidance and service to people managing diabetes. Health Mart and co-sponsor Bayer Diabetes Care will hold small recognition ceremonies to honor select pharmacists.