4th CROATIAN LIFESTYLE MEDICINE CONGRESS
“Healthy Individual, Healthy Community”
Held on 25–27 September 2026 · Zagreb and online
Andrija Štampar School of Public Health
Under the theme “Healthy Individual, Healthy Community”, the 4th Croatian Lifestyle Medicine Congress with International Participation brought professionals together for a regional event where science drives real changes in health.
Join us in building a healthier nation. A healthy individual is not an end in itself, but the foundation of a healthy community!
What the video shows
The promotional announcement of the 4th Croatian Lifestyle Medicine Congress combines photographs of participants and activities with graphic cards. It presents six topics: physical activity on prescription; lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy and deprescribing; healthy lifestyles for children, adolescents and young people in the digital age; sexual health in primary care; healthy communities through public health, local initiatives and lifestyle medicine; and active ageing and maintaining function in later life. Featured speakers are then introduced. The closing card names the Andrija Štampar School of Public Health and the dates 25–27 September 2026.
Our previous congresses brought together many professionals and participants and affirmed the key role of lifestyle medicine in modern prevention and in changing the course of chronic noncommunicable diseases.
Each edition has been recognised as different, innovative and focused on practical solutions, as well as theory. The 2026 congress combined expert lectures, interactive workshops, case presentations and the exchange of new ideas.
Leading professionals from medicine, kinesiology, nutrition, psychology and pharmacy took part. Participants had the opportunity to hear the latest scientific findings and examples from everyday clinical practice and daily life.
The 2026 programme focused on individuals, patients and patient organisations, as well as healthcare leaders who shape future health policies. Through a multidisciplinary approach and a conversation involving everyone, we explored effective ways to prevent chronic disease and improve quality of life for individuals and communities.
Zagreb · 25–27 September 2026
CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS
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Family, school and community: the power of shared healthy habits
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Children, adolescents and young people: healthy living in the digital age
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Physical activity on prescription
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Sexual health in primary care
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Lifestyle change, pharmacotherapy and deprescribing
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Older age: active ageing and preserving function
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Healthy community: public health, local initiatives and lifestyle medicine
Interdisciplinary workshops
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Healthy cooking, exercise and stress-management workshops
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Driving change in the community: how can your ideas change practice?
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World Café: collaborative problem-solving using real cases and lifestyle medicine tools
Interactive workshops were held in person and were not available to online participants.
SPEAKERS AND PANELLISTS
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Academician Prof Vida Demarin, MD, PhD, specialist in neuropsychiatry (Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts)
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Prof Ivana Kolčić, MD, PhD, epidemiologist (University of Split School of Medicine; CROLMA)
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Prof Igor Jukić, PhD, kinesiology (University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology, CIRSP)
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Prof Sanja Ćurković, PhD, kinesiology (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb)
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Assoc Prof Ana-Marija Liberati Pršo, MD, PhD, specialist in internal medicine and subspecialist in endocrinology and diabetology (Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb)
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Prof Martina Lotar Rihtarić, PhD (Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Zagreb)
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Maja Žanko, MSc Nutrition (Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb)
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Sebastijan Orlić, PhD (sports nutritionist, fitness instructor; founder of kvaliteta-zivota.hr)
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Ana Soldo, MPharm (Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists)
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Helena Orehovački, MPharm (Zagreb-Centre Health Centre)
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Prof Lovorka Bilajac, PhD, sanitary engineer (University of Rijeka Faculty of Medicine)
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Assoc Prof Slaven Krtalić, PhD, kinesiology (Croatian Institute of Public Health)
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Petra Kejla, MD, specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics (Sinteza Polyclinic, Zagreb)
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Assoc Prof Irena Pavela Banai, PhD, MSc Psychology (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Osijek)
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Prof Andrea Vranić, PhD, MSc Psychology (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb)
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Assoc Prof Vladimir Mozetič, MD, PhD (Primari Polyclinic / Sinteza Polyclinic)
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Assoc Prof Ana Puljak, MD, PhD (Dr Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health)
Abstracts and posters for the 2026 Congress
A congress gives us the chance to share what we learn in practice, present research and open new questions together. Abstracts and posters are an important part of that exchange.
We invite you to complete the required information and submit your abstract to become an active part of this year's congress programme. We welcome abstracts from all areas of lifestyle medicine, including original research, reviews, clinical cases and examples of good practice in everyday work with patients and communities.
Every professional contribution offers an opportunity to discuss how scientific findings can be applied in everyday practice. By sharing experience across professions, we can find solutions that help patients and communities.
We look forward to your contributions and to creating a programme together that promotes the science, practice and values of lifestyle medicine!
Abstract submission deadline: 7 September 2026. Authors of accepted submissions will be notified in good time.
Photo: participants watching a scientific poster presentation.
Support for the 2026 Congress
Thank you to everyone who supported the 2026 Congress and helped us connect professionals whose work brings lifestyle medicine into healthcare.
We invite companies, institutions and organisations that recognise the importance of investing in community health to become sponsors or supporters of this year's congress.
Your support helps spread knowledge of lifestyle medicine and the prevention of chronic diseases in Croatia and the region, while placing your brand alongside leading professionals in medicine, kinesiology, nutrition, psychology and pharmacy.
Information about sponsorship packages and opportunities for collaboration, as well as registration, is available on the congress technical organiser's website below. We look forward to your interest and to working together!
