BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from allergies,2 with more than 2 million school days and 4 million work days lost each year as a result.3,4 However, allergies can be easily managed if they are caught before they flare up. On Saturday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sam's Club helps members and guests to combat spring stuffiness by offering free allergy and health screenings at all Sam's Club locations with a pharmacy (564).
The screenings include free in-club health tests1 valued at up to $200, including:
- Allergy screening/blood test for milk, eggs, pet dander (cats), mold, dust mites, wheat, ragweed, mountain cedar, Bermuda grass and Timothy grass.
- Blood pressure
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Vision
"It can be difficult to tell the difference between allergies and a persistent head cold since symptoms such as congestion and irritated eyes are often similar," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam's Club Health and Wellness. "Furthermore, as people age, they can grow out of allergies or develop new ones. Sam's Club can help our communities sort through such confusion with free allergy and health screenings and on-site pharmacists who can offer advice on how to treat identified allergies."
With more than 2.2 million free health and wellness screenings provided in U.S. Sam's Club locations since 2010, Sam's Club will continue to serve communities with free screenings every second Saturday of the month through October 2013. Free health screenings support Sam's Club commitment to build awareness and provide solutions for healthy living to the communities served. In 2012, Sam's Club Pharmacy program was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among mass merchandiser pharmacies in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Pharmacy Study.5
Sam's Club also offers several allergy tips in the March/April 2013 issue of Healthy Living Made Simple Magazine featuring information about the most widespread spring allergens, natural solutions for allergy relief and advice on how to combat pet dander in the home. With the highest circulation of any health-focused publication at 8 million, Healthy Living Made Simple also is available at Sam's Club Pharmacy, Member Service counters and online at SamsClub.com/healthyliving. Members may visit this site or text SCREEN to 72671 to receive monthly reminders about health screenings at neighboring Sam's Club locations.6
Pharmacy patients can now take charge of their health with every Sam's Club visit at the user-friendly SoloHealth Station, an interactive, comprehensive health and wellness screening kiosk found in all Sam's Club locations. The SoloHealth Station provides screenings for vision, blood pressure, weight and body mass index as well as an overall health assessment, free of charge.
About Sam's Club®
Sam's Club®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Members save an average of 34 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam's Club on Twitter and Facebook.
1Screenings are available only in clubs with a pharmacy. Screening types and quantities may vary by state and club. Limited quantities are available. Membership not required.
2Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Allergy Facts and Figures – Prevalence." http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30.
3Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Allergy Facts and Figures – Social and Economic Costs." http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30.
4WebMD. "Managing Allergies at School." http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/children-allergies-school.
5Sam's Club received the highest numerical score among mass merchandiser pharmacies in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Pharmacy Study(SM). Study based on 12,764 total responses and measures 11 mass merchandiser pharmacies. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-August 2012. Experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
6Standard message/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to end or HELP for assistance. Visit m.SamsClub.com/TermsOfUse for mobile terms and conditions.
SOURCE Sam’s Club