NEW YORK — Walgreens and WebMD Health announced this week that they are partnering on an initiative to help improve health and wellness in America by incenting consumers to make healthier choices at home, work and on-the-go. 

As part of the partnership, the companies will work together to provide WebMD’s virtual wellness-coaching programs directly to Walgreens customers. Walgreens will also incorporate co-branded WebMD content into its digital experience and stores. Additionally, visitors to WebMD will be able to use Walgreens' prescription refill and clinic appointment scheduling options from within the WebMD site on their desktop or mobile device. 

Among other features and services Walgreens and WebMD will offer consumers in the coming months are: Walgreens will offer its customers access to WebMD’s virtual wellness-coaching programs that help individuals maintain and improve their health through positive lifestyle choices and healthy behavior change. Participants will be able to enroll in programs that help with smoking cessation, weight management, nutrition, exercise, stress management and emotional health, as well as in programs for managing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The companies plan to incorporate Walgreens' Balance Rewards for healthy choices program into the WebMD virtual-wellness coaching programs offered through Walgreens to incent members to participate in health-related activities. Walgreens' Balance Rewards for healthy choices helps people adopt healthy behaviors by earning Walgreens Balance Rewards loyalty program points through participation in health-related programs and tracking progress toward a goal.