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Tens of thousands of people are in houses of worship in Guilford County on any given weekend — and the government hopes to harness that in combatting H1N1.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were among researchers on a conference call Thursday with more than 300 community leaders and faith-based groups for that reason. Sebelius outlined the importance of the partnership in helping to stymie the reach of a flu that was not known to sicken people until this past spring.

“You’re trusted by your communities, so we want to ask you to be our partners in reaching out to the people you minister to every day,” Sebelius said during the call.

A new flu kit was introduced with information and suggestions for combatting the spread of the virus. It was developed for community and faith-based groups. It can be accessed online at www.flu.gov.

H1N1, also known as swine flu, was the talk of N.C. A&T on Thursday. Student Health Services and Housing and Residence Life were among campus departments represented at a town hall meeting to update students and staff on what they can do to prevent the spread of flu on campus.

In the conference call, Sebelius and others described the pulpit as an effective place for disseminating information about flu shot clinics and she reiterated that citizenship documentation isn’t required to get the vaccination.

Existing community partnerships already have experienced the successes of working with faith-based groups.

“We have the capacity in our congregational nurses program to reach over 80,000 people — and that’s just with the 75 congregations we work with,” said Sandra Blaha, assistant coordinator of the Moses Cone Health System program.

The congregational nurse program pairs nurses and faith communities to provide free health education, screenings and consultations.

Nurses who work in the churches have been fielding questions about H1N1 since spring — including asking why the elderly aren’t automatically listed in the highest risk group.

There are more than 500 houses of worship in Guilford County, which is why the county health department began reaching out to them months ago.

“Typically, faith communities will worship in a large gathering ... where it would be very easy for something like the flu to spread — just like in a classroom or any other place where people are in close proximity,” said Connie Lawson, a health educator with the Guilford County Health Department.

Congregational nurses have encouraged Christian congregations to look at how they do communion and have passed along messages from denominational groups on suggested changes to make at gatherings.

They also have packaged information for vacation Bible schools, newsletters and students on mission trips — and posted “how to” information for coughing. (Best: into the sleeve).

At Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, the congregational nurse has helped to emphasize placing antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers in the kitchen and rest rooms.

The Rev. John Mack, the church’s pastor, uses hand sanitizer with communion.

“There’s also an element of safety not only for yourself but for your parishioners,” Mack said.

Sebelius also used the conference call to emphasize that by October, up to 50 million doses of the vaccine will be available free of charge.

The flu guide also lays out the three steps that a church, synagogue or mosque should emphasize: Frequently washing hands, using an elbow or sleeve for coughing, and staying home from work, school or gatherings if you are sick.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com