Which of the following is considered private health information that must be protected in research?

Private health information that must be protected in research includes any information that can identify an individual and is related to their health status, care, or health plans. Names and personal identifiers fall squarely into this category because they can directly link health data to specific individuals, making it sensitive and private.

Moreover, privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, place strict controls on how such personal information is collected, used, and disclosed. Protecting this information is critical to maintaining participant confidentiality and ensuring trust in the research process. The other options, while related to health and public policies, do not include identifiable individual information that requires the same level of privacy protection. For instance, general health statistics and public health data often compile information in aggregate form, which does not identify individuals. Discussions about public health policies likewise pertain to broader contexts that do not involve individual identifiers.