Sam’s Club makes health care more affordable

An easy and affordable way for people to take control of their health — that’s the premise driving the expansion and frequent availability of free health screenings at Sam’s Club, according to Jill Turner-Mitchael, SVP of consumables and health and wellness.

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Sam’s launched in-store diagnostic events in 2011 and made them free to both club store members and nonmembers. Since then, the chain has conducted nearly 1 million health screenings, Turner-Mitchael reported.



The events are part of “a full suite of healthcare offerings” designed “to make it easier and more affordable for [Sam’s Club] members ... to live healthier lives,” she said. They’re also “part of our mission to be a total health-and-wellness destination.”



To that end, the company will host “several free health screenings throughout the year,” Turner-Mitchael said, and make them available at all 617 U.S. Sam’s Club stores with a pharmacy. “All screenings are performed by licensed professionals and typically include a key health indicator review, valued at $150,” she told Drug Store News.



That review covers a variety of tests for blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol levels, glucose and body mass index.



“We also rotate their themes — everything from diabetes to dental care — as a way to help people take charge of their health,” Turner-Mitchael added.