The last time frame of 100 years in public health is marked by two significant global events: The First World War, which signalled the beginning of this period, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought it to a close. Southeastern Europe underwent substantial changes during this century that shaped its public health system. The experiences and knowledge gained in the former Yugoslav territories are crucial locally and globally due to the unique challenges and innovative solutions implemented. These experiences became part of the global heritage thanks to pioneers like Milan Jovanović Batut and Andrija Štampar, whose works had far-reaching impacts on public health. However, the question arises: have we, as successors of this well-organized public health system, truly made the most of this legacy? Once again, Southeastern Europe finds itself at the crossroads of global interests and migration flows. What have we carried forward from the past, and how does it define our present? How can the collaboration between two great experts, Batut and Štampar, be interpreted after a hundred years? Do we still have a people's health system, and what are our priorities today? What would the pioneers of public health in Southeastern Europe say to us now? This abstract aims to open and partially address several key questions regarding the past and future of public health in this part of the world.