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Risk Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having one or more of the following factors puts you at high risk of getting severe COVID-191:

What are the risk factors?1

  • Age 50 years or older
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Dementia or other neurological conditions
  • Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
  • Disabilities
  • Heart conditions
  • HIV infection
  • Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system
  • Mental health conditions
  • Obesity or being overweight
  • Physical inactivity
  • Pregnancy or recent pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoking, current or former
  • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
  • Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
  • Substance use disorders
  • Tuberculosis

Other risk factors to consider1-2

In addition to certain medical conditions, being unvaccinated or not being up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations also increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.2 Some people are also at risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19 because of where they live or work, or because they can’t get healthcare.3 This includes many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.1
Other risk factors to consider

The list above does not include all possible conditions that may put you at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.1 If you have questions about a condition not included on this list, talk to your healthcare professional.1

Visit the CDC website for the latest information and the full list of high-risk factors.

REFERENCES:

  1. People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.
  2. Havers FP, Pham H, Taylor CA, et al. COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among vaccinated and unvaccinated adults 18 years or older in 13 US states, January 2021 to April 2022. JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(10):1071–1081. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.4299.
  3. CDC. (2024, October 31). People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from COVID-19 website:
    https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html
    #:~:text=Some%20people%20are%20at%20increased,groups%20and%20people%20with%20disabilities    .