WASHINGTON, D.C. – Men’s Health Network (MHN) in partnership with the Health & Wellness Committee of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity are pleased to announce the launch of “Kappa Health Challenge” smart phone app.  The free app can be downloaded by i-Phone, iPad, iTouch and iPod users now through the AppStore. The app is mainly directed towards fraternity members, but it can benefit all men in learning more about their health.
“In an effort to expand the impact of the ‘Healthy Kappas – Healthy Communities’ program, we approached the Men’s Health Network to combine our efforts to improve the health of our Fraternity. We came up with a tool that everyone could use – the idea of a Smartphone App was formed,” said Edward R. Scott, II D.M.D. Chairman Health & Wellness Committee, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. “Good health should be a national priority that applies to every person and community. My hope is that all who have smart phones will download and take advantage of the technology – Good luck and good health!”
To use the Kappa Health Challenge app the user would need to create a personal health profile, including information, such as weight, height, birth date, and numbers for Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Diabetes. Next, the user can start a game by choosing to play a Facebook friend, play by username, or play Elder Diggs (one of the late revered Founders, Elder Watson Diggs, who contributed in great ways at building the Fraternity from its inception).
In collaboration with MHN it was established that the game categories will contain conditions that are pertinent to men’s health and health prevention, which are: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Mental Health, Oral Health, Cancers and STIs/HIV, and the Fraternity also included a Kappa History category.
“With the launch of the ‘Kappa Health Challenge’ app, we now have an opportunity to reach and educate more men, young and the not-so-young ones alike,” said Janet Matope, MHN Community Outreach Director. “Through taking on the health challenge, the app users will become more aware of their own health and will be provided with information on general health risks. We hope the newly gained knowledge will result in taking better care of themselves and improving their health. ”

Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork.org and follow them on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and facebook.com/menshealthnetwork

Kappa Alpha Psi is a college Fraternity, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country. The Constitution of KAPPA ALPHA PSI is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of achievement through a truly democratic Fraternity, it has never contained any clause, which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity moves steadily toward a tomorrow of promise, productivity and influence.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As a new school year approaches, an estimated 55 million children will return to classrooms, and some of them bring a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with them. For teachers and parents of a child with ADHD, the beginning of school leads to new challenges and opportunities for learning.
“ADHD is a common neurobehavioral disorder that affects 6 percent of school-age children,” said Laura Montgomery-Barefield, M.D., associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). “As children and teens return to class, it is important to reassess the need for new strategies at home and school.”
ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention or controlling impulsive behaviors without regard to consequences, or they may be overly active. The CDC says the reported rate of ADHD in Alabama is among the highest in the nation, and that the rate of diagnosis nationwide increased by 22 percent between 2003 and 2007.
Montgomery-Barefield suggests that parents and teachers should work together to create an ADHD-friendly study environment at both home and school. This can include introducing good study skills and time management techniques.
She says medication management is an effective treatment for ADHD. As students get older, medication regimens may need to be adjusted to include coverage for homework.
“As with any chronic condition, it is important to partner with a child psychiatrist or pediatrician to ensure that your child receives the best treatment,” she said. “And get feedback from teachers.”
Angela Walker, an elementary school principal in Shelby County and a doctoral candidate in early childhood education at the UAB School of Education, has studied coping strategies for students with ADHD.
“During my research, I really came to feel that ADHD is not so much a disorder as it is a different way of learning,” Walker said. “Students with ADHD need hands-on learning, as well as physical and intellectual engagement. We know that all kids benefit from student engagement, but it is essential for kids with ADHD. They require this kind of approach in order to learn.”
Walker reports that her survey of 109 elementary teachers in a suburban Alabama school district identified nine strategies that teachers said were the most effective tools to manage a child with ADHD.
The most effective was to  call the student by name, touch the student, use a private signal word or simply move closer to the student. Eighty-three percent of teachers thought this strategy was effective at least 75 percent of the time.
The other most effective techniques were praising any effort in waiting for turns (78 percent effective); giving verbal compliments for improved work or behavior (77 percent); teaching activities that encouraged active response such as talking, moving, organizing or working at the board (74 percent); and allowing the student to sit closer to the teacher (72 percent).
“The most effective strategies seem to have a theme of praising and engaging students,” said Walker. “That appears to be a really effective combination.”
Other successful strategies Walker reported were asking a student to explain back to the teacher their understanding of directions (66 percent); allow directed movement in the classroom or change in seating that is not disruptive (62 percent); allow standing during seatwork – especially at the end of a task (60 percent); and giving the child an activity reward such as running an errand, cleaning the room or organizing the teacher’s desk (60 percent).
Walker suggests that parents and caregivers can reinforce these strategies at home to create a unified environment.
“It is important to note that with appropriate medical treatment and in an appropriate learning environment, ADHD students usually excel and rise to their academic potential,” said Montgomery-Barefield.  “ADHD is only a disability when treatment is inadequate.”