Key TakeawaysThe CDC broadened its list of conditions associated with severe COVID-19 risk, as well as conditions thatmightbe associated with COVID-19 risk.People of any age with an underlying health condition are at risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.Even without a health condition, risk increases as you get older.

Key Takeaways

The CDC broadened its list of conditions associated with severe COVID-19 risk, as well as conditions thatmightbe associated with COVID-19 risk.People of any age with an underlying health condition are at risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.Even without a health condition, risk increases as you get older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its list of people considered high-risk for becoming severely ill from COVID-19.

In aJune 25 press release, the CDC said a review of reports and data sources prompted the update. Both sickle cell disease and pregnancy, for example, are now considered high-risk or potentially high-risk.

The organization also removed the age threshold from its “older adult” classification. Now, rather than saying adults 65 and older are at an increased risk of COVID-19, the CDC warns risk “increases steadily as you age.”

What This Means For YouCOVID-19 can affect anyone. But if you have an underlying health condition, you might have a higher-than-normal risk. Do your best to continue to practice known methods of preventing the spread of the disease, and talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

What This Means For You

COVID-19 can affect anyone. But if you have an underlying health condition, you might have a higher-than-normal risk. Do your best to continue to practice known methods of preventing the spread of the disease, and talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Which Conditions Are Considered High-Risk?

According to the CDC, the most recent list of underlyingmedical conditions that put someone at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 includes:

The CDC says the following health conditionsmightput someone at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19:

What’s Changed?

The new guidance includes both additions and updates to previously-identified high-risk categories.

“The medical and science community continues to learn more about these risk groups as the COVID-19 pandemic continues,”Shital Patel, MD, an assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Verywell.

Age

The new guidance says that the risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 increases with age. Previously, the CDC limited age-related risk to those 65 and older.

While the CDC does make clear that people 85 and older are at the greatest risk for severe illness, for the most part, it offers generalities.

“People in their 50s are at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 40s,” the guidance says. “Similarly, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s."

COVID-19 and Older Adults

BMI

Previously, the CDC said people with a BMI of 40 or over (classified as “severely obese”) faced a higher risk of COVID-19. Now, that figure is 30 or over (classified as “obese”).

BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.

Pregnancy

The CDC added pregnancy to its expanded list of underlying health conditions that could potentially put someone at greater risk for a severe case of COVID-19.

This addition is likely due to a study published in the June 26Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reportthat analyzed more than 8,000 pregnant women in the U.S. diagnosed with COVID-19. Data showed that pregnant women were 50% more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than women who were infected and not pregnant, and 70% more likely to need a ventilator.

CDC Data Highlights Likelihood of Severe COVID-19 During Pregnancy

What to Do If You Fall Into One of These Categories

If you’re considered high-risk, it’s important to continue to do your best to lower your risk of contracting COVID-19.

“Everyone that wants to decrease the risk of infection needs to decrease the risk of potential exposure,” Patel says. The CDC has along listof recommendations, from how to meet up with friends to specific actions to take based on your health condition.But, in general, the organization reiterates the following:

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Keep in mind that having an underlying health condition doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to get COVID-19, severe or mild.

“These are associations, not causes,”David Cutler, MD, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells Verywell.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: older adults.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Adult BMI.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: People of any age with underlying medical conditions.

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