Epidemiology in dialogues: belonging to the Collective Health field, practices and theoretical tensions.

Abstract

Objective: In this essay, we discuss the belonging of Epidemiology to the Collective Health field, theories and contributions of Epidemiology to the health work process and to the impact assessment of Collective Health programs and actions, and the practical and theoretical tensions in the discipline and in the field.

Methods: The essay was conducted based on the theoretical contributions of various authors who reflected on Epidemiology throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries as well as the author's own experiences. It is organized into four thematic sections: the discipline's role within the field of Collective Health; the relations between Epidemiology and health practices; practical and theoretical tensions within the discipline itself and other disciplines within the field; and reflections on possible dialogues.

Results: We suggest resorting to transdisciplinarity, understanding the dynamics of scientific fields, overcoming false hierarchies between types of knowledge, defeating disciplinary limits, and decentralizing network connections as ways of coping with and overcoming difficulties.

Conclusions: The reward for this effort lies in the possibility of achieving effective responses to complex issues that, in addition to improving the health situation of populations, can be guided by the moral imperative of reducing inequalities and social injustices, respecting human rights, and building a more supportive and healthy society.