Associated Press | Walgreens is joining the YMCA in an effort to prevent and control diabetes, in a partnership with insurer United Health Group.

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.