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Vulnerable Populations

Researching Vulnerable Populations

When it comes to research involving human subjects, certain groups of people are considered to be vulnerable to coercion or undue influence in a research setting. Working with these populations comes with great ethical responsibility, and it is important that researchers understand these concepts and  best practices.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Vulnerable Populations Fact Sheet covers:

  • Pregnant women, fetuses and neonates
  • Children under the age of 18
  • Cognitively impaired
  • Prisoners
  • Employees and students
  • Minorities

Other groups include non-English speaking persons, economically disadvantaged persons, terminally ill patients, and veterans.

Download the Fact Sheet

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