People with chronic conditions are part of the specific risk groups who are more prone to developing severe forms of the disease. Smokers and tobacco users are also at higher risk of COVID-19 infection (source: WHO). Further, data suggest that regions with higher levels of air pollution, a major risk factor of chronic diseases, have higher mortality rates from COVID-19 (source).

ECDA members provide disease-specific resources on COVID-19, updated as the situation evolves and latest scientific evidence becomes available:

• Respiratory: ERS resources
• Cancer: ESMO resources; ECCO resources
• Cardiology: ESC resources; EHN resources
• Diabetes: IDF Europe resources
• Hypertension: ESH resources
• Kidney: ERA-EDTA resources
• Liver: EASL resources
• Digestive diseases: UEG position paper, UEG resources
• Allergy/asthma: EAACI resources

The ECDC leaflet on COVID-19 for people with chronic diseases, their families and care-givers is available here.

WHO guidance and updates on COVID-19 are accessible here.