Walgreens is joining the YMCA in an effort to prevent and control diabetes.
Walgreens is joining the YMCA in an effort to prevent and control diabetes. The Deerfield-based drugstore chain was picked by insurer United Health Group to partner in the program. Walgreens’ role will involve having pharmacists offer in-store counseling for diabetes patients. The YMCA will offer exercise and fitness classes to help reduce risks for diabetes and keep symptoms under control in patients already diagnosed. The program is open to UnitedHealth participants in employer-provided plans. These are services that historically insurers have declined to cover. But diabetes has reached epidemic levels. The program will be rolled out nationwide starting now through 2012. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.