Special Report
Every State’s Number of At-Risk Adults in the Coronavirus Pandemic
Published:
Last Updated:
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase in the United States, health organizations and government officials are continuing to warn the most at-risk populations, urging them to take extra precautions.
While the current numbers of cases do not come close to approaching some of history’s worst outbreaks, the data is considered largely incomplete and the outbreak has also not peaked. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined scenarios for the outbreak that suggest that between 160 million and 214 million people in the United States could eventually be infected, and that as many as 200,000 to 1.7 million people could die — many of them at-risk adults.
Nonprofit health care policy organization Kaiser Family Foundation, the source of the data used in this story, concluded that “these estimates confirm the need to take unprecedented efforts to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.” (For some historical context, these are the worst outbreaks of all time).
Most people exposed to the virus will not become seriously ill, but infection rates suggest anyone can be infected and pass it to others. This is especially important to bear in mind when it comes to the large segment of the population who are at risk of developing severe disease due to the virus.
The CDC considers older adults and those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease to be at higher risk. Approximately 41% of U.S. adults ages 18 and older (105.5 million people) are at greater risk of serious illness if they become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. An estimated additional 1.3 million people living in nursing homes are not only at high risk of serious illness but also of the virus spreading faster because of their dense, communal living conditions.
An estimated 5.7 million adults who are at higher risk of getting a serious illness if they become infected with the novel coronavirus are uninsured, including 3.9 million adults under age 60 and 1.8 million who are ages 60-64.
Click here for every state’s number of at-risk adults in the coronavirus pandemic
Click here for our methodology
Alabama
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 46.1% — 5th highest (1,756,630)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 67.8% — 3rd lowest (1,190,170)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 21.6% — 3rd highest (566,450)
> Poverty rate: 16.8% (7th highest)
> Uninsured population: 9.7% (14th highest)
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Alaska
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 35.3% — 2nd lowest (196,440)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 69.5% — 12th lowest (136,510)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.3% — 14th lowest (59,930)
> Poverty rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 13.2% (4th highest)
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Arizona
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 42.2% — 24th highest (2,320,930)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 72.7% — 22nd lowest (1,687,160)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.6% — 22nd highest (633,770)
> Poverty rate: 14.0% (14th highest)
> Uninsured population: 10.4% (12th highest)
Arkansas
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 46.5% — 3rd highest (1,079,560)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 66.9% — the lowest (722,680)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 22.3% — 2nd highest (356,880)
> Poverty rate: 17.2% (5th highest)
> Uninsured population: 8.1% (25th highest)
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California
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 37.0% — 5th lowest (11,405,140)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 72.6% — 21st lowest (8,282,500)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 13.9% — 9th lowest (3,122,640)
> Poverty rate: 12.8% (25th highest)
> Uninsured population: 7.2% (21st lowest)
Colorado
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 36.4% — 3rd lowest (1,616,650)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.4% — 16th highest (1,202,610)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 12.8% — 4th lowest (414,030)
> Poverty rate: 9.6% (7th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 7.5% (23rd lowest)
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Connecticut
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.8% — 21st lowest (1,163,280)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 76.4% — 7th highest (888,500)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.0% — 10th lowest (274,780)
> Poverty rate: 10.4% (10th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 5.4% (8th lowest)
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Delaware
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.9% — 10th highest (337,910)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.2% — 17th highest (250,720)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.8% — 19th highest (87,190)
> Poverty rate: 12.5% (24th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 5.7% (13th lowest)
Florida
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 46.5% — 3rd highest (7,997,800)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.9% — 12th highest (5,986,560)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.9% — 12th highest (2,011,240)
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (17th highest)
> Uninsured population: 13.0% (5th highest)
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Georgia
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.5% — 10th lowest (3,189,150)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 69.0% — 11th lowest (2,200,310)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.8% — 19th highest (988,850)
> Poverty rate: 14.3% (12th highest)
> Uninsured population: 13.6% (3rd highest)
Hawaii
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 41.1% — 23rd lowest (461,390)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 76.3% — 9th highest (351,840)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.2% — 13th lowest (109,550)
> Poverty rate: 8.8% (2nd lowest)
> Uninsured population: 4.0% (2nd lowest)
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Idaho
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 41.4% — 25th lowest (542,100)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.5% — 22nd highest (398,300)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.8% — 25th lowest (143,790)
> Poverty rate: 11.8% (20th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 10.6% (11th highest)
Illinois
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.7% — 15th lowest (3,930,010)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 72.9% — 23rd lowest (2,865,850)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.1% — 22nd lowest (1,064,160)
> Poverty rate: 12.1% (22nd lowest)
> Uninsured population: 6.9% (19th lowest)
Indiana
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 42.8% — 20th highest (2,203,010)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 69.0% — 11th lowest (1,519,920)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 18.9% — 8th highest (683,090)
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (20th highest)
> Uninsured population: 8.3% (22nd highest)
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Iowa
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 41.2% — 24th lowest (1,002,750)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 76.4% — 7th highest (766,110)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.2% — 13th lowest (236,630)
> Poverty rate: 11.2% (18th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 4.7% (6th lowest)
Kansas
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.9% — 22nd lowest (903,980)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.0% — 19th highest (668,540)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.2% — 24th lowest (235,430)
> Poverty rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
> Uninsured population: 8.8% (19th highest)
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Kentucky
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 45.5% — 6th highest (1,579,790)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.8% — 9th lowest (1,087,270)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 20.7% — 4th highest (492,520)
> Poverty rate: 16.9% (6th highest)
> Uninsured population: 5.5% (11th lowest)
Louisiana
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.2% — 19th highest (1,553,670)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 67.2% — 2nd lowest (1,044,030)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 20.0% — 6th highest (509,640)
> Poverty rate: 18.6% (3rd highest)
> Uninsured population: 8.2% (24th highest)
Maine
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 47.2% — 2nd highest (514,050)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 75.6% — 10th highest (388,690)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.9% — 12th highest (125,360)
> Poverty rate: 11.6% (19th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 8.1% (25th highest)
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Maryland
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.2% — 18th lowest (1,911,910)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 71.9% — 18th lowest (1,374,620)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.9% — 25th highest (537,290)
> Poverty rate: 9.0% (4th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 6.1% (15th lowest)
Massachusetts
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.0% — 8th lowest (2,160,430)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 77.2% — 6th highest (1,667,210)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 12.7% — 2nd lowest (493,230)
> Poverty rate: 10.0% (8th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 2.8% (the lowest)
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Michigan
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.3% — 18th highest (3,389,720)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 72.5% — 19th lowest (2,458,680)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.3% — 17th highest (931,030)
> Poverty rate: 14.1% (13th highest)
> Uninsured population: 5.3% (7th lowest)
Minnesota
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 38.8% — 7th lowest (1,681,520)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 77.7% — 4th highest (1,305,980)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 12.4% — the lowest (375,540)
> Poverty rate: 9.6% (7th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 4.4% (5th lowest)
Mississippi
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.6% — 13th highest (993,440)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.3% — 7th lowest (678,880)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 19.7% — 7th highest (314,570)
> Poverty rate: 19.7% (the highest)
> Uninsured population: 12.1% (6th highest)
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Missouri
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.7% — 12th highest (2,079,890)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 70.3% — 14th lowest (1,461,530)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 18.7% — 9th highest (618,360)
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (19th highest)
> Uninsured population: 9.3% (16th highest)
Montana
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.6% — 13th highest (363,300)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 77.8% — 2nd highest (282,780)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.6% — 16th lowest (80,520)
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (22nd highest)
> Uninsured population: 8.4% (21st highest)
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Nebraska
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.0% — 17th lowest (583,600)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.6% — 14th highest (435,080)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.5% — 15th lowest (148,520)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 8.3% (22nd highest)
Nevada
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.7% — 15th lowest (944,030)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.5% — 22nd highest (694,270)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.8% — 19th lowest (249,770)
> Poverty rate: 12.9% (23rd highest)
> Uninsured population: 11.2% (8th highest)
New Hampshire
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 44.5% — 8th highest (486,830)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.3% — 25th highest (356,760)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.6% — 15th highest (130,070)
> Poverty rate: 7.6% (the lowest)
> Uninsured population: 5.8% (14th lowest)
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New Jersey
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.8% — 16th lowest (2,818,780)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.4% — 24th highest (2,069,580)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.0% — 21st lowest (749,200)
> Poverty rate: 9.5% (5th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 7.6% (24th lowest)
New Mexico
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 42.8% — 20th highest (687,000)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.6% — 20th highest (505,810)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.5% — 23rd highest (181,190)
> Poverty rate: 19.5% (2nd highest)
> Uninsured population: 9.3% (16th highest)
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New York
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.7% — 15th lowest (6,248,460)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.6% — 20th highest (4,597,050)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.8% — 19th lowest (1,651,410)
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (17th highest)
> Uninsured population: 5.6% (12th lowest)
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North Carolina
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 41.9% — 25th highest (3,407,310)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 71.2% — 15th lowest (2,425,770)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.2% — 18th highest (981,530)
> Poverty rate: 14.0% (14th highest)
> Uninsured population: 10.7% (10th highest)
North Dakota
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 38.0% — 6th lowest (220,390)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 75.6% — 10th highest (166,600)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 13.0% — 5th lowest (53,790)
> Poverty rate: 10.7% (12th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 7.4% (22nd lowest)
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Ohio
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.4% — 16th highest (3,956,510)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 72.6% — 21st lowest (2,871,060)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.4% — 16th highest (1,085,450)
> Poverty rate: 13.9% (16th highest)
> Uninsured population: 6.3% (18th lowest)
Oklahoma
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 42.5% — 22nd highest (1,274,750)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 69.9% — 13th lowest (890,990)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 18.2% — 11th highest (383,760)
> Poverty rate: 15.6% (8th highest)
> Uninsured population: 14.2% (2nd highest)
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Oregon
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.4% — 16th highest (1,447,500)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 71.6% — 17th lowest (1,036,370)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 17.9% — 12th highest (411,130)
> Poverty rate: 12.6% (25th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 7.0% (20th lowest)
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Pennsylvania
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.8% — 11th highest (4,455,250)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.2% — 17th highest (3,305,490)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.7% — 21st highest (1,149,760)
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
> Uninsured population: 5.5% (11th lowest)
Rhode Island
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 42.4% — 23rd highest (363,200)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.3% — 25th highest (266,200)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 16.4% — 24th highest (96,990)
> Poverty rate: 12.9% (23rd highest)
> Uninsured population: 4.4% (5th lowest)
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South Carolina
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 44.7% — 7th highest (1,788,480)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 71.6% — 17th lowest (1,281,060)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 18.7% — 9th highest (507,420)
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (9th highest)
> Uninsured population: 10.8% (9th highest)
South Dakota
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.5% — 19th lowest (268,500)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 77.8% — 2nd highest (208,820)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 13.1% — 6th lowest (59,680)
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (20th highest)
> Uninsured population: 9.5% (15th highest)
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Tennessee
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 44.2% — 9th highest (2,338,210)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.3% — 7th lowest (1,597,710)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 20.1% — 5th highest (740,500)
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (9th highest)
> Uninsured population: 9.8% (13th highest)
Texas
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 36.5% — 4th lowest (7,827,970)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.8% — 9th lowest (5,384,510)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 15.2% — 24th lowest (2,443,450)
> Poverty rate: 14.9% (11th highest)
> Uninsured population: 17.5% (the highest)
Utah
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 33.5% — the lowest (749,470)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.0% — 4th lowest (509,360)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 13.9% — 9th lowest (240,110)
> Poverty rate: 9.0% (4th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 9.3% (16th highest)
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Vermont
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 43.5% — 15th highest (220,570)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 79.7% — the highest (175,860)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 13.5% — 7th lowest (44,710)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 4.3% (3rd lowest)
Virginia
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.2% — 9th lowest (2,618,840)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 73.2% — 24th lowest (1,916,890)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.8% — 19th lowest (701,950)
> Poverty rate: 10.7% (12th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 8.8% (19th highest)
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Washington
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.6% — 11th lowest (2,331,160)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.7% — 13th highest (1,742,460)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.2% — 13th lowest (588,710)
> Poverty rate: 10.3% (9th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 6.3% (18th lowest)
West Virginia
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 51.1% — the highest (734,590)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 68.3% — 7th lowest (501,440)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 24.9% — the highest (233,150)
> Poverty rate: 17.8% (4th highest)
> Uninsured population: 6.3% (18th lowest)
Wisconsin
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 39.7% — 15th lowest (1,804,220)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 77.7% — 4th highest (1,401,730)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 12.8% — 4th lowest (402,490)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 5.5% (11th lowest)
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Wyoming
> Adults at-risk due to age or medical conditions: 40.6% — 20th lowest (179,530)
> Adults over 60 out of all at-risk adults: 74.5% — 15th highest (133,680)
> Pct. of 18-60 pop who are at risk: 14.9% — 20th lowest (45,840)
> Poverty rate: 11.1% (17th lowest)
> Uninsured population: 11.4% (7th highest)
Methodology
To identify how many adults in every state are at risk of serious illness if infected by COVID-19, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the report “How Many Adults Are at Risk of Serious Illness If Infected with Coronavirus?” published in March 2020 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health care policy organization.
The data includes adults ages 18 and older but excludes those living in nursing homes and other institutional settings.
The data represent adults who report being told by a doctor at some point that they have one of the listed conditions: heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
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