CHICAGO — In the coming months, Rite Aid Corp. plans to begin deploying higi health screening stations in most of its stores.

Rite Aid plans to put higi Stations into more than 4,000 of its stores.

Chicago-based higi said Thursday that Rite Aid will roll out 4,100 higi Stations to its drug stores starting in the second quarter, with the deployment expected to finish by early 2015.

The higi Stations will enable customers to conveniently measure their weight, body mass index (BMI), pulse and blood pressure in Rite Aid stores. The kiosks also provide users with the "higi Score," a proprietary measurement encapsulating vital health statistics, lifestyle and social relationships that’s designed to give people one number to "quantify their life" and show how the choices they make impact their health.

In addition, users will be able to securely store this data in a private, online higi account for reference and progress comparison. Higi users can also use the mobile application and higi website, which provide wellness-related content and activity tracking tools.

The higi Stations also are intended to increase consumers’ engagement with their health — a key aim of Rite Aid’s "wellness store" format, which offers expanded pharmacy services, a greater selection of products focused on well-being, and a special service associate known as the "wellness ambassador." About a quarter of the drug chain’s nearly 4,600 locations are wellness stores. 

"Rite Aid is pleased to be the first national drugstore chain to select a health station provider like higi," Dan Miller, senior vice president of pharmacy at Rite Aid, said in a statement. "Higi was chosen because of the high quality, ease of use and effectiveness higi Stations offer, which ultimately supports Rite Aid’s long-term commitment to provide access to great health and wellness tools for our customers and associates."

According to higi, the health kiosks will spur people to take a broader perspective to their health by considering lifestyle choices and community interactions, along with standard aspects such as diet and exercise.

"We are very excited to be expanding higi on a national level through this new relationship with Rite Aid," stated Jim Farrell, president of higi. "Our primary goal is to help people take an active role in their personal health and well-being. Now Rite Aid customers and associates nationwide will be able to measure their personal body data through the higi Station and integrate that information into their lifestyle, allowing users to engage in their health in convenient and rewarding ways."

Higi Stations are located in retail pharmacy and supermarket locations in 29 states and the District of Columbia, including such retailers as CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid, Publix, Whole Foods Markets, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Giant, Martin’s and Fred’s.