Recent Study Findings Underscore Importance of Free Diabetes and Health Screening Days at Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB Nationwide BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- More than twenty million Americans have diabetes and each day another 4,100 people are diagnosed with the condition. According to a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research, more than half of people with diabetes mention expenses more than any other factor as a challenge to their daily diabetes care and management(1). Recognizing the need for affordable tools and information to control diabetes, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and SAM'S CLUB, in cooperation with Abbott's Ross Products Division, makers of Glucerna(R) Shakes and Bars, the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and other sponsors, are offering special free in-store diabetes screenings and educational information with their nationwide "Diabetes Aware & Care" program. The "Diabetes Aware & Care" program, intended to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and management, is another example of Wal-Mart's continued commitment to everyday well-being. The events provide customers who are affected with, or at risk for developing diabetes the opportunity to learn more about the condition and how to care for themselves or someone with the disease. "Forty-one million people are at risk for developing diabetes. Many people who attend the 'Diabetes Aware & Care' events are not aware that they have diabetes or are at risk for developing the condition," said Art Alderson, vice president of Wal-Mart pharmacy. "With our free in-store events, we have the opportunity to reach a large number of people with important information about the disease. We want to help spread the message that diabetes can be managed and in some cases even prevented, allowing people to live longer, healthier lives." Wal-Mart Events At the events, to be held at Wal-Mart locations nationwide throughout the month of September, certified medical technicians will provide free health screenings including blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Customers will receive complimentary product samples and a diabetes resource guide, reviewed by the AADE, which provides useful information about controlling diabetes through blood sugar monitoring, meal planning, and physical activity. Additionally, in an effort to help identify customers that may be at risk for diabetic retinopathy, customers can receive free vision screenings at the Wal-Mart vision center. In its fifth year, this year's events are bigger and better than ever before with a mobile tour added to the program. Between August 26 and October 6, customers can visit the "Diabetes Aware & Care" mobile testing center, held at select Wal-Mart Supercenters. Certified diabetes educators also will be present at select locations to speak to customers about their health and offer tips for managing diabetes. To find out when a "Diabetes Aware & Care" event is coming to your Wal-Mart, visit http://www.walmart.com/ . SAM'S CLUB Events On September 16, 2006, "Diabetes Aware & Care" events will take place at SAM'S CLUB's across the country. Certified medical technicians will test members' blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Free product samples will be distributed and diabetes resource guides will be available to help people learn about diabetes management. Since 2001, Abbott's Ross Products Division has helped coordinate the "Diabetes Aware & Care" event in association with Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB to encourage Americans to control diabetes. Diabetes education support and information is available during the events and online throughout the year at http://www.walmart.com/ . "Abbott is committed to the promotion of education and awareness for those living with, and at risk of developing, diabetes. We're excited to once again sponsor the Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB for the 'Diabetes Aware & Care' events," said Gary E. McCullough, president of Abbott's Ross Products Division. A number of companies have joined together to sponsor the "Diabetes Aware & Care" event, including Abbott, whose brands include Glucerna(R) Bars and Shakes and FreeStyle(R) Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems. Other brand sponsors include Murray(R) Sugar Free Cookies, Starkist(R), Del Monte Low Sugar Fruit(R), Calorie Countdown Milk(R), Omron(R), Bayer Low Dose Asprin(R), Smucker's(R) Sugar Free, Kraft(R), Equal(R), Fiber One(R), Splenda(R), Leiner Omega Fish Oil(R), Acuvue(R), One Touch(R), Quaker(R) Oatmeal, Promise(R), Cadbury Schweppes Diet Rite(R), Kraft(R), Benefiber(R), Lamisil(R), Sara Lee(R), CardioChek(R), NovoNordisk(R), and Reli On(R). About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com/ . Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com/ . About Abbott Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ . Abbott's Ross Products Division, based in Columbus, Ohio, is committed to developing nutrition products that satisfy the needs of people with diabetes and the healthcare professionals who care for them by offering nutritional support for a healthy lifestyle. Ross Products markets Glucerna(R) Shakes, Glucerna Weight Loss Shakes, Glucerna Snack Bars and Glucerna Meal Bars in the United States through retail pharmacies, grocery stores and major discount stores. Glucerna products are for use under medical supervision as part of a diabetes management plan. Additional information about Abbott's Ross Products Division can be found at http://www.ross.com/ . Abbott Diabetes Care, based in Alameda, California, is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing glucose monitoring systems designed to help patients better manage their diabetes. Abbott Diabetes Care is committed to developing products to reduce the discomfort and inconvenience of blood glucose monitoring and introducing systems that are easier to use, require smaller blood samples and provide faster results. Abbott Diabetes Care has several leading-edge glucose monitoring systems and test strips in the United States for use in both home and hospital settings; leading brands include FreeStyle(R), FreeStyle Flash(R), FreeStyle Freedom(TM) and Precision Xtra(TM). Additional information about Abbott Diabetes Care may be found at http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/ . About American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) The AADE represents 11,000 diabetes educators, healthcare professionals who counsel patients on how to incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into their lives. They also help patients understand how their medications work, teach them how to monitor their blood glucose to avoid the risk of complications, and give them the ability to problem solve and adjust emotionally to diabetes. (1) The National Diabetes Management Survey was conducted by Kelton Research during November 2005 among a national sample of 500 men and women over the age of 40 with diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, with a +/- 4.4 margin of error with 95 percent confidence. DATASOURCE: Abbott CONTACT: Kevin Gardener of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., +1-479-273-4314, or Susan Koehler of SAM'S CLUB, +1-479-273-4314, or Carolyn Valek of Abbott, +1-614-624-7485 Web site: http://www.abbott.com/ http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/ http://www.ross.com/ http://www.walmart.com/ http://www.walmartfacts.com/

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