WOONSOCKET, R.I. — To help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health, CVS/pharmacy has rolled out the 2011 “To Your Health” program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events nationwide.

The program launched in Miami and Texas this month and continues in Los Angeles at the end of March; Washington, D.C., and Atlanta in April; Philadelphia in May; and Chicago in June.

To Your Health includes “The Makeover Mile” — a one-mile health walk led by medical and diet expert Dr. Ian Smith — to help fight obesity as well as encourage Americans to lead healthier lifestyles.

“Exercise is an important way to combat weight gain and obesity, which can contribute to many chronic diseases,” Smith comments. “The Makeover Mile walk will encourage people to get out and take active steps toward better health. The To Your Health screenings will give adult participants critical information about their health status and their risk for chronic disease.”

An important step toward good health is knowing one’s risk for chronic disease. Each To Your Health event offers participating adults $150 worth of screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low bone density (osteoporosis) and poor vision.

Doctor consultations and medication reviews with a CVS pharmacist are available. Dental and chiropractic screenings along with referrals for mammograms and pap smears are also provided in selected locations. No appointment is necessary.

In 2010, To Your Health detected health concerns in an alarmingly high percentage of participants. Of those screened, 34% had high cholesterol, 38% had a high to moderate risk of developing osteoporosis, 37% had hypertension and 29% had diabetes, with more than half being diagnosed with diabetes for the first time.

“Early detection is critical to managing, and in some cases reversing, the effects of chronic diseases like diabetes,” states Dr. Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer at CVS Caremark Corp. “CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving access to preventive care and ensuring that cost is not a barrier to these important health screenings.”