FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A large red bus equipped to deliver free health screenings is coming to Fairhope this Saturday as part of the national “AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour.”

The free screenings, which include total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index, will help provide adults with a critical foundation for early disease detection and prevention, according to a news release for the event.

“We are pleased to team up with Walgreens to help provide important health screenings at a time when many cannot afford preventive health care,” said A. Barry Rand, chief executive officer of American Association of Retired Persons. “It is clear the health crisis in our country has reached a critical point. AARP looks forward to helping Walgreens make these much-needed health screenings available to all, as well as providing information that will greatly increase the chances for early detection of chronic disease and other potential health problems.”

No appointments are necessary for the six health screenings offered free of charge to adults 18 and over, which will take around 20 to 25 minutes. The screenings will be conducted inside the bus and results provided immediately for the tests valued at approximately $140, according to the news release.

The bus that will visit Fairhope, Daphne and Mobile from Oct. 24 though Nov. 9 is one of the tour’s fleet of nine custom-equipped buses staffed by Walgreens medical technicians arriving in cities nationwide as part of a 3,000-community, two-year national mobile health screening campaign. It is the fifth year that Walgreens has provided free screenings through a traveling campaign, according to the news release.

“During previous tours, I witnessed how these free screenings can be a lifesaving resource,” said Greg Wasson, president and chief executive officer of Walgreens. “Joining with AARP for our renewed effort is perfect because of the campaign’s dedication to improving lives and offering greater access to health resources, particularly among those most in need.”

According to the news release, data from screenings conducted during the 2008 campaign showed the following: 72.8 percent had high blood pressure levels; 68.2 percent had a high body mass index; 65.9 percent had low bone density; 60.5 percent had a waist circumference outside of the normal range; 38 percent had high cholesterol levels; and 13.3 percent had high glucose levels.

Free, one-year AARP memberships will be given to all adults who receive the screenings and existing members will receive a one-year extension on their current memberships.

The health screenings will be offered from noon to 6 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Walgreens in Fairhope at the corner of Fairhope Avenue and Greeno Road.

The bus will be in Daphne on Oct. 30-31 and in Mobile throughout the next three weeks. For times and places of the local visits, call toll-free 1-866-484-8687 or visit online at www.aarpwalgreens.com/tour.