Split pediatrician reveals why growing up on an island is healthy
Prof. Julije Meštrović, MD, PhD, will hold a public lecture on Drvenik Veliki on Saturday about the health challenges facing children in the modern world.
Prof. Julije Meštrović, MD, PhD, will hold a public lecture on Drvenik Veliki on Saturday about the health challenges facing children in the modern world.
Organized by the Drvenik Veliki Local Committee, a public lecture titled "Health Challenges for Children in the Modern World, or Why Growing Up on Drvenik" will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 6 PM. Prof. Julije Meštrović, MD, PhD, a renowned Croatian pediatrician and expert in intensive pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine, will deliver the lecture.
The event will address current issues regarding the impact of modern lifestyles on the health of the youngest. Special emphasis will be placed on why growing up in smaller communities, such as island communities, can be a significant advantage for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
As stated in the lecture announcement, the health challenges children face today have dramatically changed. Problems related to malnutrition and infections have largely been resolved, but they have been replaced by new challenges. These include poor nutrition, insufficient physical activity, and increasingly common lifestyle-related chronic diseases.
Additionally, there has been a rise in psychological difficulties, loneliness, and behavioral disorders, as well as the growing influence of digital technologies on children's development. In this context, the lecture will highlight the importance of play, time spent in nature, and community life as key factors for healthy development.
Prof. Julije Meštrović, MD, PhD, is one of Croatia's foremost experts in pediatric intensive and emergency care. His career is closely tied to the Split University Hospital Center (KBC Split), where he founded the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Intensive Pediatrics. He is also the founder of the Reference Center of the Croatian Ministry of Health for Pediatric Emergency Medicine.
He has served as president of the Croatian Pediatric Society and held high positions in the European Pediatric Society. He has authored numerous scientific articles and university textbooks, leads international courses in emergency pediatrics, and has received numerous domestic and international awards for his professional, scientific, and educational work.
The lecture is intended for parents, grandparents, educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in the quality of life and future of children in local communities. For visitors coming from the mainland, transportation is straightforward.
The Jadrolinija ferry departs from Trogir to Drvenik Veliki at 4 PM, leaving ample time to arrive for the lecture. The return trip is scheduled on the ferry departing from Drvenik Veliki at 7:25 PM, immediately after the event concludes.
