Chronic disease affects adults 50 and over more than any other age group in the United States. Sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and reluctance to seek out information about health conditions are all contributing factors.

Supported by the Sam’s Club Giving Program’s $350,000 grant, OASIS is working to help prevent chronic disease by increasing enrollment in health and wellness programs in various communities across the country. With OASIS program locations in urban shopping centers and rural and suburban communities, adults 50 plus can take advantage of classes to learn to manage chronic conditions, make better health choices, begin exercise programs and be educated on resources of information to improve health and quality of life.

The two-year grant is being implemented in St. Louis, San Diego and Washington DC, with  programs including the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), Exerstart, Better Choices, Better Health (new online version of CDSMP), Healthy Living Online, along with a broad menu of physical activity, health education and nutrition programs.  

About Sam’s Club Giving Program

Sam’s Club supports community-based programs that empower young people, families and small businesses to make smart choices that lead to healthy and bright futures. In 2009 alone, on behalf of Sam’s Club, the Walmart Foundation gave more than $73 million in cash and in-kind gifts to support local U.S. organizations focusing on education, health and children’s programs including donating more than 38-million pounds of food to Feeding America food banks. For more information about Sam’s Club Giving, visit SamsClub.com/Giving.

Meet Leigh Smith, who's getting fit from a chair! Her favorite OASIS classes are Gentle Chair Yoga and Chair Pilates.