The Lancet  
Aug 06, 2011  Volume 378  Number 9790  p457 – 540
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

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What is the future of epidemiology?
Raj Bhopal, Gary J Macfarlane, William Cairns Smith, Robert West, on behalf of the Management Executive Committee for the XIX World Congress of Epidemiology

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Epidemiology is thriving. The striking features of contemporary epidemiology are diversity, change, and global reach: from society to the molecule, responding to technical advances and changing patterns of disease. The two main challenges are: translating epidemiology into evidence, practice, and ultimately better health; and strengthening epidemiology research capacity, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.