According to HHS regulations, which additional vulnerable population receives protections besides pregnant women and neonates?

The correct choice highlights that prisoners are identified as a vulnerable population that receives special protections under HHS regulations. This designation is primarily due to the unique circumstances and potential for coercion in the prison environment, which can impact an individual’s ability to provide informed consent for participation in research. The regulations aim to ensure that their involvement in research is ethical and that their rights and welfare are adequately protected, given their circumstances of confinement.

Other populations such as children, individuals with disabilities, and seniors do indeed have additional protections in various contexts, but in the specific context of HHS regulations, prisoners are explicitly recognized as a group needing extra considerations. This focus on prisoners is tied to the historical context and specific regulatory frameworks designed to safeguard the rights of individuals who may be vulnerable due to their incarceration status.