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. 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). 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. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. population but accounting for more than 35% of all COVID-19 deaths. 4,5 Residents of long-term care facilities are also at increased risk, making up less than 1% of the U.S. 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. 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. 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. To learn more about the process of CDC’s systematic reviews, see CDC systematic review process.Īge remains the strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, with risk of severe outcomes increasing markedly with increasing age.

Since May 2021, the process has been updated to include a CDC-led review process that uses rigorous systematic review methods. As the literature grew, CDC investigators categorized the literature by study design. For instance, preliminary versions of this list focused on providing the latest information based on descriptive data. The methods used to assess the conditions have changed during the pandemic as the amount of literature and types of studies increased. 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. 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. 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.

New findings become seriously ill from