Walmart has partnered with Simple HealthKit, a diagnostics startup, to offer at-home testing kits for sexual wellness, diabetes detection, and respiratory health on its website. Customers can order the kits, perform the tests at home with physician oversight, and send samples to Simple HealthKit labs. Results are provided within 24 hours, and abnormal results are followed up with free care. This move reflects the growing trend of retail giants like Walmart and Amazon entering the healthcare sector.
Simple HealthKit, a diagnostics startup based in California, has joined forces with retail giant Walmart to make their home diagnostic test kits available to customers through Walmart’s website. The partnership allows Walmart customers to purchase Simple HealthKit’s at-home tests for sexual wellness, diabetes detection, and respiratory health.
One of the key offerings from Simple HealthKit is their sexual health test kit, which can identify gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Additionally, their respiratory test is capable of detecting influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), while their diabetes-focused test helps identify markers for Type 2 diabetes.
To utilize the tests, customers can order them through Walmart.com. The process involves physician oversight, and the tests can be conveniently performed at home. Once the sample is collected, customers send it to a Simple HealthKit lab. Within 24 hours, they receive their test results. If any abnormal results are found, customers are connected to a care provider who offers free follow-up care.
Staci Cochran, the vice president of health merchandising at Walmart, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to welcome Simple HealthKit to Walmart and provide customers a convenient way to assess their health at an everyday low price. It’s another way Walmart is helping customers be more proactive in their health and making wellness products and services more accessible.”
This collaboration reflects a growing trend of retail companies entering the healthcare sector. Walmart established its presence in healthcare with the launch of Walmart Health in 2019, opening health center locations across the United States. The company plans to have over 75 centers nationwide by the end of 2024. Furthermore, Walmart expanded its healthcare services through the acquisition of telehealth company MeMD, which now operates as Walmart Health Virtual Care.
Amazon, another major retailer, has also ventured into healthcare. In February, they completed the acquisition of primary care provider One Medical for $3.9 billion. Additionally, Amazon has introduced initiatives like Amazon Clinic and Amazon Care (an employer-based healthcare service, although it was recently discontinued).
