Whole Foods Joins Preventive Healthcare Market

In August, the nation’s largest natural foods chain, Whole Foods, opened Wellness Clubs in five test markets around the country to try out a new concept: a membership program that provides lifestyle evaluations; nutrition, cooking and health classes; and 10% discounts on hundreds of healthy food items. CEO John Mackey’s philosophy appeared in a 2009 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal where he was quoted as saying: “Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health. Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending-heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity-are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.” We agree, and suggest that organizations and communities establish “wellness clubs” to prevent the health crisis plaguing America.  We know that prevention costs less than sickness.  Some of the top experts to invite to a wellness event include Biggest Loser Winner-Bill Germanakos, award-winning journalist Stephen Kiernan, caregiver-expert Elaine Sanchez, and a number of other wellness experts.