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Learn the meaning of high-risk as an adjective that describes something likely to fail, harm, or injure, or someone more likely to get a disease or condition. See examples of high-risk in sentences and related words.
Learn the meaning of high-risk as an adjective in English, with synonyms, related words and phrases, and business contexts. See how high-risk is used in sentences from the Cambridge English Corpus.
- What You Need to Know
- Purpose
- Background
- Demographic Factors
- Summary of Conditions with Evidence
- Actions Healthcare Professionals Can Take
- Key Findings from One Large Cross-Sectional Study
- Resources
- References
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
•An updated list of high-risk underlying conditions, along with their associated evidence, is provided below. The conditions are grouped by the level of evidence, with the highest level shown in the top section.
•The list of underlying medical conditions is not exhaustive and will be updated as the science evolves. CDC continually reviews additional underlying conditions, and some of these might have sufficient evidence to be added to the list.
•This list should not be used to exclude people with underlying conditions from recommended measures for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
•The process used to update the list is found on CDC’s Systematic Review Process page.
This page summarizes data from published reports, scientific articles in press, unreviewed pre-prints, and internal data that were included in literature reviews conducted by subject matter experts. Evidence used to inform the list of underlying conditions was determined by CDC reviewers based on available literature about COVID-19 at time of review. The information reflects evidence regarding underlying medical conditions and is intended to help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about patient care and to increase the awareness of risk among their patients.
The methods used to assess the conditions have changed during the pandemic as the amount of literature and types of studies increased. For instance, preliminary versions of this list focused on providing the latest information based on descriptive data. As the literature grew, CDC investigators categorized the literature by study design.
Age is the strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Patients with one or multiple of certain underlying medical conditions are also at higher risk.(1–3)
Additionally, being unvaccinated or not being up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations also increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Age
Age remains the strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, with risk of severe outcomes increasing markedly with increasing age. Based on data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) at NCHS (Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death By Age Group), compared with ages 18–29 years, the risk of death is 25 times higher in those ages 50–64 years, 60 times higher in those ages 65–74 years, 140 times higher in those ages 75–84 years, and 340 times higher in those ages 85+ years. Notably, these data include all deaths in the United States that occurred throughout the pandemic, from February 2020 to July 1, 2022, including deaths among unvaccinated individuals. Risk of severe outcomes is increased in people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions and in people who are 50 years and older, with risk increasing substantially at ages >65 years.4,5 Residents of long-term care facilities are also at increased risk, making up less than 1% of the U.S. population but accounting for more than 35% of all COVID-19 deaths.6-10
Race and Ethnicity
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.11-13 Some racial and ethnic minority groups are also more likely to face multiple barriers to accessing health care including lack of insurance, transportation, child care, or ability to take time off from work. Estimates of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. show that people from racial and ethnic minority groups are dying from COVID-19 disproportionately, and studies have identified racial and ethnic differences in at-home COVID-19 test use, vaccination coverage, and access to outpatient therapeutics.14-16 Data has shown that compared to non-Hispanic White people, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Once infected, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be hospitalized, be admitted to the ICU, and die from COVID-19 at younger ages.17 We are still learning about how the environments where people live, learn, and work can influence the risk for infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Higher Risk (conclusive)
•Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) •Autism •Cerebral palsy •Charcot foot •Chromosomal disorders •Chromosome 17 and 19 deletion •Chromosome 18q deletion •Cognitive impairment •Congenital hydrocephalus •Congenital malformations •Deafness/hearing loss •Disability indicated by Barthel Index •Down syndrome •Fahr’s syndrome •Fragile X syndrome •Gaucher disease •Hand and foot disorders •Learning disabilities •Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) or Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) •Leigh syndrome •Limitations with self-care or activities of daily living •Maternal inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) •Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and risk markers •Mobility disability •Movement disorders •Multiple disability (referred to in research papers as “bedridden disability”) •Multisystem disease •Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) •Myotonic dystrophy •Neurodevelopmental disorders •Neuromuscular disorders •Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) •Neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP) •Perinatal spastic hemiparesis •Primary mitochondrial myopathy (PMM) •Progressive supranuclear palsy •Senior-Loken syndrome •Severe and complex disability (referred to in research papers as “polyhandicap disability”) •Spina bifida and other nervous system anomalies •Spinal cord injury •Tourette syndrome •Traumatic brain injury •Visual impairment/blindness •Wheelchair use
Suggestive Higher Risk
Suggestive higher risk is defined as an underlying medical condition or risk factor that did not have a published meta-analysis or systematic review or did not undergo 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.) Condition Condition Condition Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Children with certain underlying conditions Read More: Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers Condition Children with certain underlying conditions Read More: Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers Systematic Review 158,159 Cross-Sectional Study 99,160,161 Cohort Study 100,162-169 Case Series 170,171 Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Systematic Review 158,159 Cross-Sectional Study 99,160,161 Cohort Study 100,162-169 Case Series 170,171 Overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2 but <30 kg/m2) Condition Overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2 but <30 kg/m2) Cohort Study111 Case Series110 Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Cohort Study111 Case Series110 Sickle cell disease Condition Sickle cell disease Cohort170-173 Case Series 170,173-188 Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Cohort170-173 Case Series 170,173-188 Substance use disorders Condition Substance use disorders Case-Control Study 189-191 Cohort Study 192,193 Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Case-Control Study 189-191 Cohort Study 192,193
Mixed Evidence (inconclusive: no conclusions can be drawn from the evidence)
Mixed evidence is defined as an underlying medical condition or risk factor that has a published meta-analysis or systematic review or underwent 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 (or limited) data on the association between an underlying condition and severe COVID-19 outcomes. •Limited: The evidence consists of one study, or several small studies with no comparison group, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn. •Inconsistent: The evidence suggests no clear direction of association, meaning no firm conclusions can be drawn. Condition Condition Condition Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency Condition Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency Limited: CDC Systematic Review [I] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Limited: CDC Systematic Review [I] Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Condition Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Limited: CDC Systematic Review [J] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Limited: CDC Systematic Review [J] Hepatitis B Condition Hepatitis B Inconsistent: CDC Systematic Review [B] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Inconsistent: CDC Systematic Review [B] Hepatitis C Condition Hepatitis C Limited: CDC Systematic Review [B] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Limited: CDC Systematic Review [B] Hypertension* Condition Hypertension* Inconsistent Meta-Analysis 83,194-197 Systematic Review 198, 75* Cohort Study 35,36,41,199-205 Case Series 206 Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Inconsistent Meta-Analysis 83,194-197 Systematic Review 198, 75* Cohort Study 35,36,41,199-205 Case Series 206 Thalassemia Condition Thalassemia Limited: CDC Systematic Review [N] Evidence of Impact on COVID-19 Severity [Reference number] Limited: CDC Systematic Review [N] Footnotes: * Indicates presence of evidence for pregnant and non-pregnant people ‡ Underlying conditions for which there is evidence in pediatric patients ^ Risk may be further increased for people receiving dialysis
•Support vaccination with approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccines (primary series and boosters), which are safe and effective. Check out the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines as well as Stay Up to Date with your Vaccines and locations for COVID-19 vaccination for patients for more information.
•Consider therapies, such as antivirals, when treating patients with mild to moderate illness and risk factors for severe illness. These therapeutics have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of hospitalization and death, and outcomes are improved if therapeutics are started within the first days of illness.
•Encourage patients to keep appointments for routine care and adhere to treatment regimens for their medical conditions.
•Consider use of telehealth when appropriate.
•Encourage patients with underlying medical conditions, who are able to, to continue practicing preventive measures such as wearing a high-quality mask in order to decrease the risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. This becomes even more important with increasing age and number and severity of underlying conditions.
•Check out additional information for your patients.
Underlying Medical Conditions and Severe Illness Among 540,667 Adults Hospitalized With COVID-19, March 2020–March 2021
This study used data from the Premier Healthcare Database, which represents approximately 20% of all inpatient admissions in the United States since 2000. This cross-sectional study of 540,667 adults hospitalized with COVID-19 included both inpatients and hospital-based outpatients with laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 from March 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. The database included reports from 592 acute care hospitals in the United States. The study was designed to examine risk factors associated with severe outcomes of COVID-19 including admission to an ICU or stepdown unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death.
Main Findings:
•Certain underlying medical conditions were associated with an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness in adults.
•Having multiple conditions was also associated with severe COVID-19 illness.
•Obesity, diabetes with complications, and anxiety and fear-related disorders had the strongest association with death.
More Information
•Methods for the Underlying Conditions ICD-10 List [PDF, 2 pages, 112K]
•COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines: What’s New
•COVID-19 Therapeutics
•Clinical Care Considerations
•COVID-19 Treatment in Outpatients
See CDC Systematic Review References
1.Stone EC, Weissman D, Mazurek J, et al. Brief Summary of Findings on the Association Between Underlying Bronchiectasis and Severe COVID-19 Outcomes. [print only, 476K, 18 pages]CDC COVID-19 Scientific Brief. October 2021.
2.Stone EC, Hofmeister M, Okasako-Schmucker DL, et al. Brief Summary of Findings on the Association Between Underlying Liver Diseases and Severe COVID-19 Outcomes. [print only, 1462K, 111 pages]CDC COVID-19 Scientific Brief. October 2021.
3.So CN, Ryerson AB, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Kristie EN et al. Brief Summary of Findings on the Association Between Disabilities and Severe COVID-19 Outcomes. [1984K, 165 pages]CDC COVID-19 Scientific Brief.
4.Okasako-Schmucker DL, Weissman D, Mazurek J et al. Brief Summary of Findings on the Association Between Interstitial Lung Diseases and Severe COVID-19 Outcomes. [print only, 837K, 67 pages]CDC COVID-19 Scientific Brief. October 2021.
5.Hill AL, Whitfield G, Morford M et al. Brief Summary of Findings on the Association Between Physical Inactivity and Severe COVID-19 Outcomes. [931 KB, 63 pages]CDC COVID-19 Scientific Brief.
Learn about the medical conditions that increase the risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, intubation, or death from COVID-19. Find evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals and the general public.
- Older age. People of any age, even children, can catch COVID-19. But it most commonly affects middle-aged and older adults. The risk of developing dangerous symptoms increases with age, with those who are age 85 and older at the highest risk of serious symptoms.
- Lung problems, including asthma. COVID-19 targets the lungs, so you're more likely to develop severe symptoms if you already have lung problems, such as
- Heart disease. Many types of heart disease can make you more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms. These include: Cardiomyopathy. Pulmonary hypertension.
- Diabetes and obesity. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of serious COVID-19 symptoms. Having a higher body mass index that’s considered overweight, obese or severely obese also increases this risk.
Learn the meaning of high-risk as an adjective in English, with synonyms, related words and phrases, and examples from various contexts. High-risk can describe situations or activities that involve greater than usual financial, personal, or environmental risk.
Learn who is at higher risk for serious infection and complications from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Find out why older adults, people with certain illnesses, pregnant women and others are more vulnerable and how to protect yourself with vaccination and other measures.
Learn the meaning and usage of the adjective high-risk, which describes something that involves a lot of danger and the risk of injury, death, damage, etc. See pictures, pronunciation, synonyms and extra examples of high-risk in different contexts.
