Underlying Medical Conditions Increase Risk for Severe Illness

Angie SzumlinskiFeatured, Health, Studies

Updates to the list of underlying medical conditions that put adults of any age at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 were based on published reports, articles in the press, unreviewed preprints, and internal data available between December 1, 2019, and October 16, 2020*.

The list of evidence for each condition was determined by CDC reviewers based on available information about COVID-19. Conditions were added to the list (if not already on the previous underlying medical conditions list originally released in March 2020). If evidence of an association with severe illness from COVID-19 met any of the following criteria:

  • Strongest and most consistent evidence: Defined as consistent evidence from multiple small studies or a strong association from a large study.
  • Mixed evidence: Defined as multiple studies that reached different conclusions about risk associated with a condition, or
  • Limited evidence: Defined as consistent evidence from a small number of studies

The document is considered a “living document” that will be periodically updated by CDC and it could rapidly change as the science evolves. Severe illness from COVID-19 is defined as hospitalization, admission to the ICU, intubation or mechanical ventilation or death.

To access the list, please visit the CDC website and remember, check the CDC website regularly for updates, changes, and new guidance! Stay the course, stay strong, stay well, stay safe, mask up, and stay tuned!