Elisabeth Steubesand, 105 years old, the oldest citizen of Cologne and a high-risk individual
A high-risk individual, high-risk person, or high-risk population is a
human being or beings living with an increased
risk for severe illness due to age, medical condition, pregnancy/post-pregnant conditions, geographical location, or a combination of these
risk factors.[1]
High-risk people qualification
High-risk people can be of any age.[2] High-risk populations are vulnerable to serious illness.[3] Globally, societal factors including limited access to
healthcare and inadequate
hygiene facilities can result in high-risk individuals.[3][4][5] Access to proper healthcare is essential to the health and treatment of high-risk individuals, particularly high-risk mothers and infants.[3] High-risk individuals can require
long-term care.[3]
In
immunology, a person qualifies as a high-risk individual if their immune system is compromised or suppressed whether due to disease, cancer, chronic conditions, prescription medications, or recent surgical procedures.[6][7][8] High-risk people are more susceptible to hospitalization and death from the
Coronavirus disease 2019.[9] The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends high-risk persons get the
COVID-19 vaccine.[10][9]
In psychiatry, a high-risk individual is a patient who engages in high-risk behaviors.[11] In addiction treatment lexicon, a high-risk person refers to a person with a high likelihood of addiction and/or high likelihood of relapse.[12]
Criteria for COVID-19
Risk factors that have been cited in the United States as defining high-risk individuals for suffering the more serious symptoms of
COVID-19 include:[13][14]
^"COVID-19 and Your Health". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC. 11 February 2020.
Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.