Introduction to Vulnerable Populations

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) has identified populations in need of special protections in research. IRBs must apply additional regulations and criteria and give special consideration to recruitment, subject selection, informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality issues before approving research involving these populations:

The complete OHRP guidelines can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_guidebook.htm.