People in poor living conditions are most at risk of catching COVID-19.

According to a new study, an unhealthy lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, but the risk is highest among the most economically disadvantaged.

The study, conducted by the University of Glasgow and published in BMC Infectious Diseases, looked at 343,850 people aged over 60 years.

The combined influence of lifestyle and socioeconomic factors further increases the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, with participants in the most deprived group having more trouble with an adverse outcome from COVID-19 than those in the skeletal.

This study shows that the most significant public health benefits from government policies on COVID-19 and lifestyle-focused health interventions are likely to be seen when the most excellent support for healthy lifestyles is offered to the most vulnerable groups.

This is the 1st study to examine the combined impact of socioeconomic status (level of deprivation) and various unhealthy lifestyle factors on risk for COVID-19 outcomes.

The study found that more participants with the lowest healthy lifestyle scores died from COVID-19 and had severe COVID-19 illness than those with a healthier lifestyle. 

We know that the blow of COVID-19 is worse for the disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged for several reasons; and our research reveals the risks of COVID-19 -19 additional for those less fortunate, who also reported unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and low physical activity.