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• The persistent luminescent material exhibits robust optical performance in the healthcare field. • Various testing and therapeutic techniques have been developed by integrating the unique long afterglow properties. • Increased efforts have been made to improve the brightness and durability of the new material. • PLM-based techniques are promising to solve more public health problems in various scenarios. With the advancement of human civilization and the growing diversity and multipolarity of the international community, there is a mounting emphasis on addressing public health and safety concerns. In order to respond to public safety incidents, the development of in-situ, timely, and sensitive detection methods has become the key. The pursuit of a high quality of life has revolutionized the investigation and evaluation of epidemics, tumors, and endemic diseases, necessitating tracing based on unique genetic sequences or antigenic properties of pathogenic microorganisms, tumor markers, and bioactive molecules. Additionally, the prevalence of food safety incidents has fostered societal expectations for continuous assurance through the detection of pesticide and bio-enzyme residues, environmental and industrial pollutants, as well as monitoring hazardous substances in food production. Due to its unique optical phenomenon and persistent afterglow emissions following stimulation cessation, persistent luminescent materials (PLMs) have garnered increased research attention across various sectors. The ability to quench in situ excitation and retain energy for extended durations has positioned them as an appealing system for implementation in luminescence imaging and sensing applications pertaining to public health and safety. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of groundbreaking work conducted over the past five years in the field of PLMs in relation to public health. We first highlight the luminescence principles of PLMs. In the following parts, we provide comprehensive coverage of the latest advancements and trends in the application of PLMs as biosensors in clinical examination and food contaminant analysis. Moreover, we emphasize their advantages in the application of antimicrobial treatment and light-guided tumor treatment. Finally, we discuss the future research directions and challenges in developing of PLMs for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]