Public health research is a necessary part of our attempts to control and to prevent diseases and to improve health. Epidemiology has probably been the most productive part of public health research in Denmark, and the discipline still has a lot of growth potential. The medical profession is, however, abandoning the full-time research departments, mainly because clinical units are in a position to pay higher salaries than research departments. New and important research opportunities will be available in the future. To fully take advantage of these opportunities, we need better coordination and better management in public health research in Denmark. We also need the medical profession to be part of the team.