ATLANTA, GA (November 10, 2009) – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is now widespread in nearly all 50 states, including Georgia.

Across the country, doctor visits for influenza-like illness are rapidly increasing and are now higher than what is normally seen at the peak of most regular flu seasons. As unemployment continues to hover at nearly 10 percent nationally, many employees in the workplace are afraid to call in sick, fearing they may be included in the next round of layoffs.

On November 10, 2009, Community Health Charities continues its Health Matters at Work™ video podcast series with the special addition of a three-part series on H1N1 and the workplace. Experts from various sides of employee health issues are brought together to provide information and guidance to employers and employees addressing seasonal flu and H1N1 this fall. Guest panelists include Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Steven Miranda, Chief Human Resource Officer, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Dr. Jonathan McCuller, Associate Member, Infectious Disease, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and Dr. Christopher Collins, Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel for the Lupus Foundation of Greater Washington and Associate Program Director, Rheumatology Division at Washington Hospital Center.

“Smart companies know their employees are its most valuable resource. A healthy workforce is an essential part of a healthy business and a healthy bottom line. Community Health Charities is proud to bring together leaders from the nation’s most trusted health charities with leaders from HHS and SHRM. This collaboration provides employers and employees with basic guidance on how to cope with seasonal influenza and H1N1 in the workplace,” said Thomas G. Bognanno, President & CEO, Community Health Charities of America.

Part two of the series, available beginning November 13, features an exclusive interview with Dr. Lurie who provides important information about H1N1 and what the public can do to avoid being affected by the disease when working, traveling or going to a place of worship. The series concludes with a final interview on November 17 featuring Dr. McCullers, who explains how a flu vaccine is made, the different types of vaccines that can be administered and the treatments available for people that develop H1N1.

In addition to the new podcast series, Health Matters at Work™ makes it easy for employees and people with chronic diseases to find information provided by credible health charities and the CDC in one convenient website, available at www.healthmattersatwork.org/influenza.

A total of 26 Health Matters at Work™ video podcasts have been developed with the support of numerous Community Health Charities members, including American Lung Association, Autism Speaks, Mental Health America, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and many other leading health charities in America. The Health Matters at Work podcast series on H1N1 was funded through a contribution by MedImmune, a division of AstraZeneca.

View and subscribe to the series at www.healthmattersatwork.org.

About Community Health Charities of Georgia

Community Health Charities of Georgia connects employees with the resources, services and volunteer opportunities of more than 40 participating health charities. Employees also have the opportunity to direct donations to the health charities of their choice through payroll deduction. In Georgia and across the country, Community Health Charities is the only workplace giving program devoted exclusively to health. For more information, including a complete list of participating health charities, please visit www.healthcharities.org/georgia.