Walmart has announced a six-month rural health ambassador pilot program aimed at expanding access to health coaching and resources in select rural locations.
The initiative will launch in Lexington, Tennessee; Caro, Michigan; Franklin, Virginia; Fort Scott, Kansas; and Searcy, Arkansas.
Under the pilot, Walmart pharmacists trained as rural health ambassadors will allocate dedicated time to deliver health coaching services and facilitate connections to various health-related resources for community members.
According to the business, the health coaching provided by these pharmacists will include guidance and personalization for shoppers.
The company stated that the pharmacists’ role involves support for customers rather than direct clinical treatment. The retailer has a goal of bridging the gap in care and access to improve overall health outcomes.
Dr. Emily Aaronson, chief medical officer at Walmart US said: “By giving pharmacists dedicated time to listen, coach, and connect customers with relevant support, this pilot will help us learn how a familiar, trusted setting can make health resources more accessible, practical and actionable for people living in rural communities.”
This pilot program aims to test how Walmart can contribute to addressing rural health challenges by offering health coaching and connecting individuals to appropriate services.
Walmart stated that its findings from the pilot will inform future health and wellness planning efforts.
This move reflects Walmart’s ongoing interest in broadening its role within healthcare services, particularly in remote areas where access to health coaching and resource navigation may be limited.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
