In addition to pregnant women, fetuses, and neonates, which vulnerable population is provided additional protections under HHS regulations?

Prisoners are recognized as a vulnerable population that requires additional protections under the HHS regulations. This designation stems from the understanding that individuals in correctional facilities may face unique coercive pressures and limitations on their autonomy, which can make them particularly susceptible to exploitation in research settings.

The additional protections afforded to prisoners include considerations around informed consent, safeguards against undue influence, and assurances that their participation in research is voluntary and free of coercion. Regulations are designed to ensure that research involving prisoners meets ethical standards, acknowledging their compromised ability to make fully autonomous decisions due to their incarceration.

The other options, while they may represent vulnerable populations in broader contexts of social justice and protection, do not have the specific regulatory frameworks that apply to prisoners under HHS regulations.