It seems that all the wrong things in health care are on the rise these days.Nearly half of Americans now live with a chronic condition, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-four million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 700,000 are living with heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.

The U.S. obesity rate is particularly troubling. Having climbed to 34 percent, the obese population now exceeds the overweight population. Obesity raises much concern because of its implications on overall health and well-being, including predisposition to a myriad of chronic illnesses – from heart disease and diabetes to certain cancers, stroke and gynecological problems.

Like butter and sugar, obesity has a cost per pound. According to research conducted by Humana, in 2009, obesity could cost employers $19.39 in added health care costs for every overweight pound and $1,037.64 for every overweight individual. This would amount to $127 billion added to the national health care bill.

Even though the smoking rate is stagnant at the moment, tobacco use continues to plague our society. Responsible for 440,000 deaths per year – and $80 billion per year in lost productivity for businesses – smoking can be a tremendous burden for the smoker, their loved ones and their employers.

According to a 2007 report by the Institute of Medicine (Ending The Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation), about one out of five American adults still smokes – about 44.5 million people in the United States.

What makes all of these issues so frustrating for the medical community, government and employers that offer health benefits is that many of the most common health problems are preventable.

Tobacco use, poor dietary habits, stress and lack of physical activity can be controlled or modified by individuals, but many just don’t know where or how to start. Changing course after getting used to doing things a certain way is challenging, to say the least. But, “change” is a term we’re using a lot these days.

We’re seeing changes all around us. From government to fast-moving technology to the economy, things look a lot different today from how they did last year at this time. Think of how you might look – or feel – next year at this time if you started a regular exercise plan, shed those extra 15 pounds, quit smoking or learned to manage your back pain.

It’s possible. It may not be easy, but everyone can control certain aspects of their health. And, the best part is that help is available. Nearly all health-benefits companies offer wellness programs geared toward providing members with the tools and support necessary to take control of their health and stave off preventable conditions.

A huge range of wellness programs exist, from smoking cessation to personal health coaches to alternative care, like massage and chiropractics. Some even provide incentives, like discounts for gym memberships, nutritional supplements and vision care.

Today, with so much information available online, accessing these wellness benefits has never been easier.

For instance, how many people know the exact number of calories they should consume each day in relation to the physical activity they need to lose weight? A quick online health assessment will deliver information you can use right away, such as your body mass index, health risks associated with your age and weight, and how much food and exercise your body really needs to function and get the results you want.

Ever wish you had your own personal nurse you could direct dial to answer your health questions or help sort out a claim? Some modern wellness benefits actually link you up with your own personal nurse – someone who learns what your needs are and addresses your concerns each time an issue arises.

There are so many more new wellness features available – too many to showcase here – but I encourage you to look at what your health provider offers and think about what services would benefit you most.

Research shows that when people have access to these tools and use them properly, everyone wins. Employees improve their health and manage their health care more efficiently, while employers see an increase in productivity and lowered health care costs.

The bottom line, though, is that these wellness programs only work if people are provided with the tools and commit to using them.

We can’t necessarily tackle all of our health problems at once. But, we can choose one and commit to change.

Making positive decisions about your health is good for you and your loved ones.