On the concept of risk in Epidemiology

Abstract This theoretical paper analyzes the centrality of the concept of risk for epidemiological science, describing the types of risk measures and their definitions, the origin and historical development of these measures from de 17th century to the present time. Next, the phases of the historical development of the concept of risk are analyzed, from the constitution of the discipline in the 19th century, through the crossing of the threshold of scientificity, until today. After this historical review, the epistemological assumptions of the concept of risk as it is presented in epidemiology are pointed out. The polysemy of the concept in common sense knowledge and its formulation in different scientific disciplines, as well as its different connotations within the scope of epidemiology, are briefly commented on. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the concept in the so-called risk society of late modernity. We believe that this paper can be useful in the formation of health professionals, in view of its core role in epidemiology and Collective Health, not only as an articulator of theoretical propositions, but also in the orientation of practices.