The European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI) Association is the leading organisation in medical informatics in Europe as a federation of national societies of 30 countries. EFMI is organized as a non-profit organization concerned with the theory and practice of information science and technology within health and health science in a European context. The objectives of the EFMI are:

• To advance international co-operation and dissemination of information in medical informatics at the European level;

• To promote high standards in the application of medical informatics;

• To promote research and development in medical informatics;

• To encourage high standards in education in medical informatics;

• To function as the autonomous European Regional Council of IMIA.

This year is a special year for EFMI as it celebrates its 40th anniversary; the Federation was founded in 1976. Therefore, different special events have been organized including several conferences, work shops special issues in journals. In view of this special year for EFMI also the Medical Informatics Europe (MIE) conference, one of EFMI's top conferences, is organized in a special way.

Considering the complexity and interrelation of the health domain and as a sign of the long-lasting collaboration of major societies in the field a special joint conference was set up that unities the conferences of the German Association for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS), the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), the International Epidemiological Association – European Region and the European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI). The societies involved have longstanding experience in integrating the disciplines of medical informatics, biometry, epidemiology and health data management. The collaboration will not only offer a unique opportunity for integration but also strengthen each of the disciplines involved both on a national and international level.

The event is organized under the common umbrella of HEC2016 by the motto of ‘Health – Exploring Complexity: An Interdisciplinary Systems Approach’, which took place in the city of Munich in Germany from August 28th to September 2nd.

The title points to the joint effort of all societies involved to rethink their approaches and to signal the need to move on from silo thinking by exploring the complexity of health together although from different perspectives. Complex systems often involve heterogeneous objects and multifaceted interactions. The health domain is recognised to be particularly complex; hence, we need to identify models that are able to integrate all the various aspects. We need to find new ways for collaboration of different scientific disciplines as well as for establishing comprehensive methodological approaches. The HEC2016 conference is a step forward.

The current volume supports this effort by documenting the results of this event. The HEC2016 received 833 contributions from 47 countries.

We would also like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude to all who contributed to this proceeding as well as to the success of this important event by submitting their contributions, reviewing them and by sharing their expertise and time.

Alexander Hörbst

Werner Hackl

Nicolette de Keizer

Hans-Ulrich Prokosch

Mira Hercigonja-Szekeres

Simon de Lusignan