By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-21 09:11:13 | Word Count: 628
Among the attractions and food at the Arkansas State Fair is the AARP Walgreens Wellness Tour. Their mission is to provide $60 million worth of free health screenings across the U.S
For less than 20-minutes of your time you get 6-health screenings valued at $140. The tour will visit more than 3,000 communities, that's 300 cities in 45 states. They have nine customized buses with Walgreens trained technicians traveling to help you.
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The Wellness Tour sponsored by AARP and Walgreens made its way to Arkansas taking advantage of thousands of families at the state fair.
Maria Reynolds Diaz with AARP says "It's very important to be aware of preventive health measures and when you can spot a problem early on than it's less costly and it's less traumatic down the road."
Jean Pierre Silva is the Wellness Tour Spokesperson. He adds, "We've been doing this for 5-years and this is the first time partnering with AARP. With AARP and Walgreens we have 50-million member and we realized we can reach more people across the nation that being said we have a goal of 3.6 million health screenings."
Silva says their goal is to improve the quality of life and the value of health to folks with and without health insurance.
Beverly Hogan of Camden says, "I think it's good to have this because if you have any problems you can go and see about it."
Hogan allowed Today's THV to follow her through her screenings. First she registers and gives health information; next she gets in the bus and starts with a total cholesterol and blood glucose check.
The second stall is for blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference. The last test is for bone density.
After five minutes Hogan learns her results are good. Silva explains, "These screenings are a good snap shot of their health to keep them to maintain their health where it's suppose to be."
Hogan adds, "I'm glad I did it now because now you know where you stand and you also know what to do to improve yourself. I'm not thinking just about myself, but I'm also thinking about my family."
You have to be 18 and older to get a free health screening. The bus is equipped with health education information and this year you get a free one-year AARP membership even if you're a current member.
Sunday is the final day for the fair, but the wellness bus tour will be in Little Rock for a week.
No appointment needed. Here is the list of the locations:
October 18: Arkansas State Fair
11- 9 p.m.
October 19: Walgreens
111 N. Bowman Little Rock, AR 72211
12-6 p.m.
October 22: Walgreens
5917 Baseline Rd. Little Rock, AR 72209
12-6 p.m.
October 23: Walgreens
5525 W 12th St. Little Rock, AR 72204
12-6 p.m.
October 24: Walgreens
702 Military Rd. Benton, AR 72015
12-6 p.m.
October 25: Walgreens
3710 S. University Little Rock, AR 72204
12-6 p.m.
October 26: Walgreens
200 E. Race Ave. Searcy, AR 72143
12-6 p.m.
