CVS/pharmacy to Provide Free Health Screenings in Urban Communities With 'To Your Health' Program

WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, the nation's leading retail pharmacy, announced today the introduction of the "To Your Health" program, offering free health screenings and consultations.  The national community program is part of efforts by CVS/pharmacy to improve access to preventative care in urban communities.  Starting April 17, CVS/pharmacy will host nearly 300 "To Your Health" events in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.  

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090129/NE64371LOGO )

"To Your Health" fairs will provide screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, bone density (osteoporosis) and vision, with dental and chiropractic screenings available in select locations.  Each event will also offer doctor consultations, medication review with a CVS pharmacist, and referrals for mammograms and pap smears.  No appointment is necessary.

The events are an extension of the successful CVS/pharmacy "A Su Salud" program, which has brought similar services to Hispanic customers in markets such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and Miami.  In particular with the "To Your Health" program, CVS/pharmacy hopes to address critical health issues among African Americans, who often have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure.  For example, the rate of diabetes among African Americans is 11.8% (vs. 6.6% of non-Hispanic whites), according to the American Diabetes Association.

"Chronic diseases like diabetes disproportionately affect the African American population and early detection can make a tremendous difference for a disease that must be managed for a lifetime," said Troyen Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CVS Caremark.  "We urge patients to find out if their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol are within a healthy range."

In 2009, CVS/pharmacy screened over 195,000 attendees at A Su Salud events across the country. Of the individuals screened, many health concerns were discovered, including:

• 33 percent had high cholesterol
• 36 percent had a high to moderate risk of developing osteoporosis
• 28 percent had hypertension
• 22 percent had diabetes, with more than half being diagnosed with diabetes for the first time

Once screened, CVS/pharmacy helps patients through on-site consultations with physicians who analyze the results and refer patients to no-cost, low-cost medical facilities nearby or to their primary care physician should additional follow-up be required.

"To Your Health" will kick off in Atlanta on April 17; Washington, DC on June 12; and Philadelphia on June 19.  For more information, and a full calendar of "To Your Health" events, please go to www.toyourhealthusa.com or call 888-604-0333.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy is the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). The Company operates more than 7,000 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.cvscaremark.com/.

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy

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