Free Lifestyle Support Includes Informational Guides, Online
Tools, Health Fairs & Pharmacists' Expert Advice
Every year, millions of Americans make New Year's resolutions to improve
their health by eating better, exercising more or quitting smoking. Yet
just weeks – or even days – into the New Year, many of these
well-intentioned resolutions have already been scrapped. To help make
2013 different, Rite Aid is offering customers free extra support
including Better You informational guides in all 4,600 stores,
exclusive online health resources and expert advice from Rite Aid
pharmacists. Rite Aid's wellness stores will also be offering free
health screenings and informational sessions the week of Jan. 13.
"Making positive lifestyle changes is easier with the right support
network," said Rite Aid Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Robert I.
Thompson. "According to this month’s Gallup poll, pharmacists are again
one of the most trusted of all professions. At Rite Aid, we encourage
our customers to seek our pharmacists' expert advice on a range of
health topics, such as tips to improve an on-the-go diet, ways to
incorporate more fitness into a daily routine or approaches to quitting
smoking once and for all."
Rite Aid pharmacists are available year-round to discuss simple
approaches to healthier living including:
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Eating better – Pharmacists can provide diet tips and counsel on
potential medication-dietary interactions such as the growing list of
drugs that can have potentially dangerous side effects when taken with
grapefruit. Rite Aid stores also offer a range of healthy food
products designed for on-the-go lifestyle including the Wholesome
Goodness line, which uses natural ingredients to create minimally
processed snacks, drinks and meals.
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Staying fit – Pharmacists can offer suggestions on ways to incorporate
fitness into 2013, which may be especially important as some
medications can impact metabolism or otherwise affect healthy weight
goals. Rite Aid stores also offer FOREVER FIT™ by America's favorite
fitness expert Denise Austin. This new line of fitness equipment is
available exclusively at Rite Aid and includes 33 fitness products to
make it easy to get fit at home with items including balance board,
deluxe walking kit, wrist weights with thumb loops and Pilates stretch
bands.
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Quitting smoking – Pharmacists are always available to counsel on the
range of smoking cessation products that can make it easier to quit
smoking and begin the journey to better health. Rite Aid has even
launched a year-round program called Rite Aid for Quitting that
offers free 24/7 access to a pharmacist trained in smoking cessation
at 1-800-RITE-AID or at www.riteaid.com/quit.
Free health screenings in 800 stores
To encourage customers in their pursuit of healthy lifestyle changes,
Rite Aid's nearly 800 wellness stores will hold health fairs, on either
Jan. 16 or Jan. 19. During these four-hour events, stores will hold free
health screenings including nicotine dependence tests, COPD risk
assessments, diabetes risk assessments, and provide information on the
pneumococcal vaccine, which is important since smokers are at a
higher risk for developing pneumonia, according to the American
Cancer Society. To locate the most convenient wellness store, go to www.riteaid.com/stores
or call 1-800-RITE-AID. Rite Aid’s Wellness stores feature increased
staffing for customer service, an enhanced selection of wellness
products and resources, and advanced clinical services including a
private pharmacist consultation room at most locations.
Customers can also get help any time from the convenience of their home
or office by logging onto www.riteaid.com
where, starting Jan. 2, they can access exclusive support resources
including:
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Nutritional information such as a menu planner that analyzes personal
eating habits for calorie, fat and carbohydrate counts, a list of
healthy recipes based on the meal or food type, a guide to
interpreting the common black-and-white "nutritional facts" labels,
and 30 daily tips for eating healthier on the go.
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A section that is all about encouraging kids to develop healthy
lifestyles by becoming more active, cutting back on sweets, snacking
healthy in 100-calorie-or-less portions, and by getting involved in
meal planning – from the shopping cart to the kitchen.
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A body mass index (BMI) calculator that factors in weight and height
to produce a reliable test for potential weight concerns and early
indicator for the health conditions that can result.
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Videos of Denise Austin demonstrating how to incorporate fitness into
a daily routine by using FOREVER FIT's four categories of products
based on the overall health goal of: Balance and Flexibility, Heart
Health, Fitness and Support, and Toning and Strength.
Rite Aid's focus on supporting customers' healthy lifestyle changes is
part of the drugstore chain's rotating focus on consumer health topics.
Other topics during the year include heart health, allergies, skin care
and wellness+ for diabetes, an extension of Rite Aid's free
customer loyalty program wellness+.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading
drugstore chains with more than 4,600 stores in 31 states and the
District of Columbia and fiscal 2012 annual revenues of $26.1 billion.
Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press
releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.
