We've been telling you that it seems Americans are cutting back or changing their driving habits because of high gas prices, and now the Federal Highway Administration has confirmed it - 40 billion miles worth of cutbacks to be exact. That's equal to driving the length of the equator more than one and a half million times!

And that's just over the past 7 months, with 9.6 billion of those miles lost this past May alone. While this is easing the demand for fuel and reducing emissions, it's not all good news - it's been seriously cutting into the tax funds available for highway maintenance, and that's not a plus for anyone, whether you drive a lot these days or not.

1) Keeping up with the wear and tear of the nation's roads. The pavement across the country has been rated "not acceptable" on one out of every seven miles of road, according to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

2) Bridge maintanace. This came roaring to the forefront of the DOT's agenda when a Minneapolis bridge collapsed last summer, killing 13 people. Even still, about 25 percent of bridges in the U.S. remain either "functionally obsolete" or "structurally deficient."

3) Upkeep of rail networks and expanding mass transit. Taking mass transit has been a good alternative to high gas prices, but with less people driving, there isn't as much money coming from gasoline-tax revenue allocated to mass transit to help fund necessary expansions; and that's a problem, because the American Public Transportation Association reports increased mass-transit ridership of at least 30 percent in some areas.

So it seems to be a pretty vicious cycle - we are driving less because of high gas prices but in doing so we are hurting our other options, like mass transit, as well as our safety with less funding for projects like updating bridges. Construction costs are already higher to begin with, thanks to the high price of asphalt and other materials.

The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission estimates a needed $225 billion a year just to meet the country's transportation needs; right now, we are spending at around 40 percent of that number. Congress is working on legislation that will provide some aid to these construction projects, such as the $1 billion for bridge repair that was passed on Thursday.

But when the estimated amount the DOT needs is 225 times that, it might just be too little too late.

President Bush signed the housing bill into law this morning. The part of the legislation that allows homeowners to refinance into government-backed loans may be available in October, but there's been some question as to whether it's going to take longer than that. If you are in danger of foreclosing on your home-there are some steps you can take now.

1) Before missing a payment
Once you miss a payment, your lender likely reports that to the credit bureaus. Your credit score will go down and you'll be hit with late fees. After 90 to 150 days in most cases, your lender may file a notice of default with a local courthouse. If you don't become current on your payments, you may have anywhere from 2-3 months to a year before the house is put on the auction block.

2) Get a loan modification
This is basically a change in loan terms. A modification will lower your monthly mortgage payment or let you skip a few payments. To request a modification, call your lender and ask to be transferred to the loan modification–or loss mitigation department. Make sure you have some recent pay stubs, current or prior year W-2 forms, bank statements, property tax bills and insurance bills. Be persistant. The process can be frustrating. It could take weeks.

3) Consider a short sale
If you owe a lot more on your home that it's worth, you may be able to get the lender to accept less than you owe on it by negotiating a short sale. Basically you sell the house for what you can get and the lender agrees to accept it. Sometimes the deficit is forgiven, but you may have to sign an unsecured loan for the amount.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

After three months of summer vacation my kids are finally heading back to school tomorrow. Not only will they be hitting the books, but the fall sports season is getting underway. One of the best ways to motivate a child to get in shape before they take part in a sport is to exercise with them.
Marathon runner and instructor Jeff Galloway, author of Fit Kids Smarter Kids, gave me some advice on running with a child. Here are his tips for being a good coach:

1) Think ahead. Make sure your child has a pair of good-fitting running shoes before you hit the road. You don't have to spend a lot of money on equipment, but shoes and clothes need to fit well.

2) Fuel up. About 45 minutes before exercising, let your child eat a small snack or energy bar to avoid low blood sugar. Don't forget to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after running.

3) Start out slow. Galloway recommends warming up with a slow walk for about 5 minutes. Transition into 10 to 20 seconds of running and alternate with 45 to 50 seconds of walking. Help your child resist the urge to sprint.

4) Hold their interest. Don't push too hard or oversell the exercise routine. Let the child be involved in the process by having him choose a running course and time of day for the workout.

5) Reward their work. At the end of the session offer plenty of verbal encouragement and praise. Come up with an inexpensive or creative surprise to reward their efforts. Galloway says a reward helps the young athlete focus on his progress and feel the satisfaction of hard work paying off.

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10am to 6pm ET weekdays.

I just came back from my latest stop on CNN's Energy Hunt, all the way up in Kaktovik, Alaska. The native town of just 300 is the only settlement in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR), a large region set aside in 1960 as a wildlife refuge. Kaktovik is a busy place for the Arctic, but most people there still lead a traditional life hunting caribou and other game.

Now, this small town and the tundra that surrounds it have caught the attention of Washington politicians and multi-national oil companies alike, who are all eager to exploit oil deposits in the reserve. Now that oil prices worldwide hover around $125 a barrel, the push to expand Alaska's oil production into the northern part of the reserves is picking up pace.

Proponents like President Bush say drilling in ANWR would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Environmentalists say any disruption to the pristine landscape and the local wildlife is too high of a price to pay. They want to keep the reserve off-limits to oil drilling. So, here is a summary of the debate as it stands right now:

1) How much oil is there in ANWR? The Department of Energy estimates there is enough crude oil to produce up to 780,000 barrels a day; on that basis, we'd be looking at U.S. crude production of about 5 million barrels a day, and worldwide production of 73 million barrels of crude. (These estimates exclude other petroleum liquids found in oil).

2) How much land are we talking about? If Congress does act to open up ANWR to oil development, only a small portion - about the size of the state of Delaware - would be used; the untouched land would be as big as South Carolina.

3) How will development affect the local economy? Drilling in ANWR could bring jobs and money to Kaktovik, currently an economically depressed place.

4) How would local wildlife be affected? Alaska natives hunt the caribou and other game all along this part of the state, and they worry that opening up ANWR could drive those animals away.

5) Will drilling in ANWR lower gas prices? For most, this is the most important question; the Energy Department's best estimate is that drilling may lower the price of gasoline by only one-to-three cents a gallon.

There has been oil drilling in Alaska for more than 30 years - around ANWR in Prudhoe Bay and other places pumping out some 700,000 barrels a day - but never in ANWR. Considering the U.S. currently imports over 60 percent of its oil from abroad, you would think that any new domestic source would be welcome. But, the Department of Energy says any increase in production out of ANWR might only reduce that number by 2 percent by 2030.

So is adding more domestic oil to the pipeline really worth any potential cost to the local environment and wildlife? Perhaps like the rest of Americans when it comes to this issue, I found opinions in Kaktovik split down the middle.

I have no problem falling asleep at night, but I don't always stay asleep. A couple of times a month I wake up in the middle of the night and watch the clock until I drift off again. Apparently, I'm not alone. Experts report a third of Americans suffer from sleep problems. About 20 percent of those people share my complaint and suffer from something called sleep maintenance Insomnia. Here are some tips that might help you get a better night's sleep:

1) Limit time in bed. Don't stay in bed longer than 20 to 30 minutes if you can't fall asleep.  Go to another room and read until you're sleepy.   Bad sleeping habits can often become ingrained.

2) Caffeine effect. Limit daily intake of coffee, tea and soda containing caffeine. Studies show the stimulant can take up to 10 hours to wear off.

3) Eat and work out earlier. No eating, exercising or drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime. You might think alcohol makes it easier to fall asleep, but it might trigger a lighter sleep and make it more likely you'll wake up in the middle of the night.

4) Relaxing routine. Focus on activities that help you wind down in the evening such as reading a book or listening to soothing music. Ban the TV, video games and computer from the bedroom.

Finally, cooling off is conducive to a better night's sleep. Experts say one way to trick your body into thinking it's cooling off is to take a warm shower 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. As your body cools off, you might be sleepier.

Source: Dr. David Schulman, director of the Sleep Laboratory at Emory School of Medicine

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10am to 6pm ET weekdays.

Nancy Reagan famously called Alzheimer's disease "the long goodbye." For the families of the estimated 5 million people who suffer this tragic and brutal disease, those words are painfully true. In Chicago this week, some of the greatest minds in the field of Alzheimer's research and treatment are meeting at the International Conference on Alzheimer's disease.

In the midst of the all the talk about the best way to treat the disease, researchers are discussing the best way to treat people. A study released today suggests that patients –even those who may seem extremely confused and disoriented – hate being patronized and treated like children. Often, they rebel, by lashing out or wandering off. Patients with Alzheimer's disease are twice as likely to be resistant to care when health care workers use “elder speak” versus normal talk, according to the study's author, Kristine Williams of the University of Kansas School of Nursing.

"Health care workers think that this helps," says Williams, "but the message patients hear is that they are incompetent." When a person with Alzheimer's lashes out, says Williams, "it is not about being bad, it is more about their needs not being met."

So what are some things you should keep in mind when talking with someone who has Alzheimer's? Williams offers these tips.

1. Communicate at the appropriate level.
For someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, give the person the chance to communicate as much as he or she wants to. Ask open-ended questions, suggests Williams. But for someone whose disease is further along, it is best to ask simple yes and no questions.

2. Think about the environment

If you are trying to have a serious talk with a loved one, find a quiet place. Turn off the TV. Close the door. Limit distractions. Williams says you are more likely to have a meaningful conversation if you do that.

3. Pay attention to YOUR body language

Establish eye contact from the start. Let the person know you are really listening to what they have to say. Even if it takes an hour, allow time to respond. That, says Williams, shows you respect the individual and are willing to listen to what he or she has to say.

A housing bill intended to help hundreds of thousands of struggling homeowners, may soon become law. Here's what that bill means to you.

1) Get the basics
One of the main features of this bill will allow struggling homeowners to refinance into more affordable fixed-rate 30-year loans. If your lender decides to let you refinance under this legislation, they must take a haircut of at least 15 percent of the value of the appraised home—that figure takes into account fees your lender will have to pay. And you’ll be able to refinance into a 30 year fixed loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

2) Get your qualifications
To qualify, your mortgage debt to income ratio on your old loan must not be more than 31 percent. For example, if you make $4,000 a month, your monthly mortgage payment can’t exceed $1240 dollars to qualify. Plus, you have to be able to afford the new fixed loan. Remember, even if you do qualify your lender has to decide to go along with the plan.

3) Claim your credits
Tax credits that is! If you buy your home between April of this year and July of next year, you’ll get a dollar-for-dollar tax refund of $7500. But…there is a catch. You have to repay this over the course of 15 years. It acts like an interest-free loan. If you sell your house and make a profit, but you haven’t repaid the credit in full—you’ll owe Uncle Sam the balance. To qualify for this you have to meet certain income limitations.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, tune into CNN weekdays on CNN at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

A healthy liver plays a vital role in digesting the food you eat and the nutrients you absorb and rids your body of toxic substances. It is important to take steps to protect this vital organ as you age.

Here are few tips:

1) Take medications sparingly Use prescription and over-the-counter drugs only when you need them and take only the recommended doses. Too many medications can be damaging to the liver.

2) Don't mix meds and alcohol Certain drugs, such as acetaminophen, can be toxic to the liver when consumed with alcohol.

3) Keep weight in check Obesity can cause a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Experts say the most effective diet is rich in fiber and low in calories and saturated fat.

4) You are what you eat Remember all the food and beverages you are consuming pass through your liver, so the healthier the food, the healthier your liver will be. Strive to eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

If you feel fatigue or have a dull pain in your upper right abdomen, it could be an early sign of liver disease. Consult your doctor for proper screening.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

This week, The Journal of the American Medical Association released a study on women, depression and sexual satisfaction.  

Researchers in New Mexico found that women who took Viagra were able to reach orgasm more than the group who took the placebo pill. That got me to thinking about what women – depressed or not – can do to get back their groove back. Here's what researchers told me.

1. Try impotence drugs such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis
Some studies, like the one out this week, show they work for some women with sexual problems; others have shown they don't work.

A woman's biggest hurdle could be finding a doctor who'll prescribe them, since they're approved by the FDA only for men.

The solution: Be frank with your doctor. Ask whether he or she is willing to consider prescribing these drugs "off label." Be clear that you recognize these medicines have not been approved for women, and that you want to know about the risks and benefits.

2. Testosterone

Experts we talked to said taking testosterone has helped many of their female patients. "It not only helps with sex drive, it will also help with arousal," says Dr. Cynthia Brewer, a clinical associate at the Center for Specialized Women's Health at the Cleveland Clinic.

Testosterone, produced naturally by both men and women, boosts libido. Synthetic testosterone, however, has been approved only for use with men. In 2004, the FDA declined to approve a testosterone patch for women, saying it hadn't been thoroughly tested.

As with Viagra and its cousins, if you're interested in possibly trying testosterone, tell your doctor you know it's off label, and you'd like to discuss the benefits and risks for women - knowing that not all the risks are fully understood.

3. Arginine

Some doctors suggest using a cream with arginine , an amino acid that's supposed to increase blood flow.

"It's supposed to act like Viagra," says Brewer. "I saw one patient try it, and it had benefits. For another it didn't. Women can try it and decide for themselves."

For more tips on how to get your sex drive back in gear. check out my column at CNN.com/health

We're all painfully aware of how high gas prices are these days: the national average for a gallon of gasoline is just above the $4 mark, and many of you are paying a lot more. That's forcing us to change the way we live our lives, by altering our driving habits and moving away from large gas guzzling vehicles to smaller fuel-efficient cars.

High energy costs are also forcing Americans to change the way they spend their money, and that could have a wider impact on the nation's economy. Remember, discretionary spending is the grease that keeps the U.S. economic engine running. Those high energy prices in the long-term will force a dramatic cultural shift in the way we conduct our lives, with wider implications for growth.

Many businesses will lose out, especially in the retail and entertainment segments. Now, a new Nielson survey seems to confirm some of this. In a poll of 50,000 Americans, almost two-thirds, or 63 percent, admitted they are cutting back on purchases because of high gas prices, up 18 percent from last year. Here's how the survey breaks down:

1) 78 percent of consumers are combining shopping trips. Trying to get the most for their gas money, Americans are working to do more in less time by cutting out extra trips. That means less impulsive trips to the mall - and less business for retailers.

2) 52 percent are eating out less. No more nights out for a meal when you're too tired to cook your own dinner. And that really hurts restaurant owners, who are already feeling the pinch from higher food costs.

3) 51percent are staying at home more. That may mean more business for home movie rentals and pay-per-view services, but that's bad news for movie theaters.

There are some areas where consumers won't cut back. TV sales are one, and vacation plans are another. Another survey put out by GfK Roper Consulting, a market research firm, shows that 50 percent of Americans plan to buy flat-screen and HD televisions in the next year as they look for entertainment options that don't involve leaving home.

The same survey says 59 percent still plan to take a vacation in the next six months, even though some of them admit to changing their original plans to stay a little closer to home. That could mean a boost to business for regional tourist attractions. The surveyor notes Americans want to find ways to maintain their quality of life by maintaining some of life's everyday pleasures - even when the down economic times call for some belt-tightening.

And that means more and more Americans are staying home - or close to it - for a little fun.