BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As part of an effort to encourage women to take a more active role in monitoring and maintaining their health, Sam’s Club pharmacies nationwide hosted free women’s health ­screenings.

Available to both members and nonmembers of the warehouse club chain, the free screenings were offered on October 11 at all 599 Sam’s Club locations with a pharmacy.

The screenings, valued at about $250, included tests for blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL (“good” cholesterol), glucose, body mass index (BMI) and thyroid. Sam’s noted that thyroid conditions can often affect a woman’s overall health, including depression, weight and energy levels.

“With the multitude of health challenges that are unique to women, it’s important that we keep up with our health on a regular basis no matter how busy life may get,” said Tara Raddohl, director of corporate communications for Sam’s Club. “These free health screenings make it easy for women to take a weekend errand and turn it into an important step in caring for their well-being.”

Besides monthly health screenings, Sam’s Club pharmacies provide savings and preventive care to the communities they serve, such as year-round immunizations for people age 18 and above. Pharmacists can administer walk-in flu shots and nine other important immunizations recommended to help protect against serious diseases, such as pneumonia, shingles and whooping cough.

Sam’s Club Plus members and Sam’s Club business members can also save 40% on many generic drugs and 8% on name brand medications.