Here is an interesting article from the Guardian newspaper about how the risks of walking in wet and windy weather were measured. I think before the study people were probably aware that wet and windy weather were bad for you but this was the science bit that demonstrated the kind of clothes you wear is also very important (again I suspect people had already worked this out for themselves mostly). Where the science really helped was in giving people proven information that can then be passed on and good guidelines issued. This all happened even before I started hill walking but I can say that this important advice was passed on to me from the very beginning.
The proper kit can save your life.
Bad weather on the hills