A chain-wide health fair slated for this coming weekend is just one of several ways in which Walmart is building on its commitment to making healthcare and healthier food more affordable and accessible. The retailer is rolling out several initiatives that focus on preventive care and supporting overall well-being across its entire assortment – in stores and online – through in-store events, online education and an expanded assortment of products and services solutions.

This coming Saturday, Walmart will hold what it’s calling, “America’s Biggest Health Fair” -- an event that will take place in more than 4,400 stores across the U.S. from noon to 4 p.m., and will include free blood glucose, blood pressure, and vision screenings, as well as the distribution of product samples and health insurance information. In addition, more than 10,000 of Walmart’s licensed pharmacists will offer immunizations in select stores. Walmart expects the single-day health fair to include hundreds of thousands of screenings and immunizations.

“There is one thing we can’t put a price on and that’s the health of our customers,” said Michelle Gloeckler, Executive Vice President of Consumables and Health & Wellness at Walmart U.S. “We realize we play an important role in making healthcare available to millions and helping millions put healthy meals on the table. This is a responsibility we take seriously. From managing diabetes to running your first 5K and simply putting a healthy dinner on the table, we’re equipping our customers with solutions for total health management which spans from nutrition, fitness, preventative care and treatment.”

Walmart operates its own pharmacies, Vision Centers and Care Clinics, and provides a comprehensive assortment of preventive and wellness products in the following categories: grocery, electronics, sporting goods, home, apparel and consumables in stores and online. Over the past year, Walmart has added thousands of wellness products, and plans to expand in notable areas such as: durable medical equipment, specialty prescriptions and active nutrition.

“We have a long history of making healthcare more affordable and accessible for our customers,” Gloeckler added. “Our $4 prescription program changed the industry and drove down healthcare costs. Our Care Clinics and Vision Centers are creating new price positions for retail health services and giving communities expanded access to services they need to live healthier lives.”

Healthcare Insurance Assistance
For the second year, Walmart is working with DirectHealth.com to help customers identify their health insurance needs, compare coverage options and enroll in the plan that is right for them. The customer open enrollment program, Healthcare Begins Here, will be available Oct. 15, 2015 through Jan. 31, 2016 in more than 2,400 Walmart stores, online and via phone.

New to the program this year, DirectHealth.com is working with Jackson Hewitt to staff licensed insurance agents in approximately 250 stores. These agents will help customers navigate the more than 70,000 Health Exchange plans available to them, as well as help customers over the age of 65 enroll for Medicare.