Populations at Risk
- Age is the strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Approximately 54.1 million people aged 65 years or older reside in the United States; in 2020, this age group accounted for 81% of U.S. COVID-19 related deaths.
- As of February 7, 2022 (CDC COVID Data Tracker), the number of deaths in this group was more than 97 times the number of deaths in those aged 18–29.
- In 2020, residents of long-term care facilities made up less than 1% of the U.S. population but accounted for more than 35% of all COVID-19 deaths.
- Additionally, people ages 18 years and older with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Studies have shown that some people with certain disabilities are more likely to get COVID-19 and have worse outcomes.
- Data have also shown that compared to non-Hispanic White people, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to die from COVID-19 at younger ages.
- In 2020, the largest percentage increases in death occurred among adults aged 25–44 years and among Hispanic or Latino people.
Risk categories:
- Higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes:
- An underlying medical condition or risk factor that has a published meta-analysis or systematic review or complete the CDC systematic review process.
- The meta-analysis or systematic review demonstrates good or strong evidence, for an increase in risk for at least one severe COVID-19 outcome.
- Suggestive higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes:
- An underlying medical condition or risk factor that neither has a published meta-analysis or systematic review nor completed the CDC systematic review process.
- The evidence is supported by mostly cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies. (Systematic reviews are available for some conditions for children with underlying conditions.)
- Mixed evidence:
- An underlying medical condition or risk factor that has a published meta-analysis or systematic review or completing the CDC systematic review process.
- The meta-analysis or systematic review is inconclusive, either because the aggregated data on the association between an underlying condition and severe COVID-19 outcomes are inconsistent in direction or there are insufficient data (or limited) on the association between an underlying conditions and severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes
- Cancer
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease*
- Chronic lung diseases limited to:
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Bronchiectasis
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Chronic liver diseases limited to:
- Cirrhosis
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2*
- Disabilities
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Congenital Malformations (Birth Defects)
- Limitations with self-care or activities of daily living
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies)
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- Mental health disorders limited to:
- Mood disorders, including depression
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Neurologic conditions limited to dementia
- Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2)*
- Primary Immunodeficiencies
- Pregnancy and recent pregnancy
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking, current and former
- Solid organ or hematopoietic cell transplantation
- Tuberculosis
- Use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications
Suggestive higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes
- Children with certain underlying conditions
- Overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2, but <30 kg/m2)
- Sickle cell disease
- Substance use disorders
- Thalassemia
Mixed evidence:
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Asthma
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hypertension*
* indicates underlying conditions for which there is evidence for pregnant and non-pregnant people
For additional information see CDC’ Guidance on Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Professionals
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