More than 12 percent of Mississippi’s adult population or 270,000 people have a diagnosis of diabetes. Mississippi’s diabetes problem first caught the attention of Bo Kirby about 2 years ago. Kirby is the regional health and wellness director for Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart corporate goal of helping customers, employees and surrounding communities live healthier lives fits well with the goals of the Mississippi Department of Health’s Diabetes Awareness program. After all, Wal-Mart has the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of Mississippians every day.
This led to a partnership between Mississippi Wal-Mart stores and the Mississippi Department of Health. Throughout 2011, free screenings for diabetes have been held in Wal-Mart stores across the state. Screenings continue through November at selected stores.
Kirby realized that customers needed help choosing healthy food options and finding the diabetes products that would be useful. He turned to Mona McBride and Denisa Strong who are Wal-Mart Pharmacists. McBride and Strong came up with a program called “Simple Steps to Living Better.” The bright green, yellow and orange logo was printed on shelf labels and tags. Ms. McBride enlisted the help of diabetes educators, Mickey Stuart, MPH, MS, CDE and Kathy Warwick, RD, LD, CDE to choose the items in the store that fit the “Simple Steps” criteria.
People with diabetes usually have other health challenges such as hypertension or heart disease so the program is designed with this in mind. Ms. Strong explained, “The shelf label strips will highlight grocery products that are lower in calories, fat, sugar or salt.” The pair hope the “Simple Steps” labels will encourage everyone to make healthier choices.
“In the pharmacy department, we have the 'Simple Steps' labels on supplements, diabetic shakes, and other items that may be helpful to our customers with diabetes,” Ms. McBride stated. The Pearl Wal-Mart is the first location to roll out “Simple Steps” and the pharmacists hope to expand the program throughout Mississippi and then perhaps to the rest of the nation’s Wal-Mart locations.
Governor Haley Barbour issued a proclamation declaring November 14th World Diabetes Day in Mississippi. Special events were scheduled for November 14 in all of the Mississippi Wal-Mart stores in conjunction with World Diabetes Day. Customers filled out a simple questionnaire to determine their risk of diabetes. Health care professionals were on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Written by Kathy Warwick RD, LD, CDE
Reprinted to increase access to MS-AADE membership