 An unhealthy population is at a higher risk to die of COVID-19. That's bad news for Americans, says preventive and public health expert David L. Katz. Older people and people with significant prior health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are much more likely to be hospitalized or die from the coronavirus. Immune system disorders, cancers, and chronic lung diseases are also associated with greater risk. Dr. Katz and his colleagues estimated that about 45 percent of Americans, based on a CDC survey, had at least one of the factors that put them at a higher risk for severe infection. Utah had the lowest percentage of people at risk at 40 percent, while West Virginia was the highest with 60 percent. They also estimated that around 30 to 35 percent of people in China have at least one risk factor. If true, this could mean the U.S. is facing a potentially higher mortality rate than China. Everyone knows a better diet and more physical activity lowers the risk of chronic diseases, but these actions can also reduce acute risk from the coronavirus today.