Methodologic challenges in chronic disease population research

Some recent important, and controversial, chronic disease population research settings are reviewed. These include studies of hormone replacement therapy and coronary heart disease; studies of dietary fat in relation to breast cancer; and studies of beta-carotene supplementation and lung cancer. In each case methodologic developments having a strong biostatistical component are identified as key to future progress. Some comments are also made on the need for an expanded disease prevention intervention development enterprise, and on the role that microarray genetic and genomic data may play in such development.