This paper discusses theoretical and methodological advances in recent epidemiological work. It is mentioned that analytical sophistication is not bound to politically conservative use, and that it allows answers to complex scientific questions, from the understanding of contextual effects to mechanistic aspects of environmental exposures. However, data collection methods deserve similar improvement efforts. Theoretical advances are exemplified by Geoffrey Rose's ideas and by hypotheses on intrauterine influences on adult disease. The diversity of situations related to theory building is commented, which may be the reason why scientists generally ignore epistemological prescriptions. Finally, the commitment of epidemiology to the collective efforts to reduce unnecessary human suffering is emphasized, which may require comprehensive knowledge from different levels of reality, from the subcelular to the social level.
Epidemiology; statistics; epidemiologic methods; statistical methods and procedures