Letter to the Editor: Improving community health starts with accessible preventive care

Tony Olsen

By TONY OLSEN, PharmD
Pharmacy Clinical Services Manager
Walmart Region 40

As healthcare needs continue to grow and many families face challenges accessing preventive care, one reality remains clear: Staying healthy shouldn’t depend on how far you live from a doctor’s office or how long you must wait for an appointment.

Across the Metro East, people often delay screenings, immunizations and wellness checkups because of convenience, busy schedules or uncertainty about where to turn. Yet conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can develop without noticeable symptoms, making early detection critical.

Through my work serving the greater St. Louis area, I’ve seen firsthand the important role pharmacists play in community health. For many individuals, pharmacists are a trusted and accessible source of healthcare information, guidance and support.

Beyond prescriptions, patients seek advice on managing chronic conditions, understanding new medications and adopting healthier habits. Increasingly, they also have questions about weight management and GLP-1 therapies. Pharmacists help provide education, answer questions and support informed health decisions.

Community wellness depends on making healthcare information and preventive services more accessible. Whether it’s helping someone understand a treatment plan or encouraging a preventive screening, every interaction is an opportunity to improve health outcomes.

Events like Walmart Wellness Day on July 25 connect individuals and families with free screenings, low-cost immunizations and pharmacist guidance.

Bringing these services directly into communities—especially those facing healthcare access challenges—helps reduce barriers and empowers people to take charge of their health. As preventive care matters more than ever, we must continue bringing healthcare resources to those who need them most.