Classification, also termed class prediction is one of the major challenges in many areas of application. A group of four statistical papers has been published in this issue, all dealing with the problem of classification in different areas of application and at different levels. The editorial, introducing these papers, may be the starting point for a discussion in Methods of Information in Medicine on such approaches. Letters to the Editor are very welcome.

This issue also contains two special topics: The first special topic on "Health Informatics meets eHealth" presents selected papers from the eHealth2009 conference in Vienna, highlighting recent challenges and achievements in the area of eHealth. The second special topic on "Competencies for a well-trained biomedical and health informatics workforce" provides information that will be useful for readers involved in biomedical and health informatics education.