As one of the most valuable natural resources, groundwater is the vital water sourceSource in ensuring global water securitySecurity, supporting agricultural production, and safeguarding human health. However, influenced by climate changeClimate change and human activitiesHuman activity, groundwater qualityGroundwater quality has increasingly deteriorated, posing significant threats to public health. This paper aims to explore the links between groundwater and public health and propose effective strategies to mitigateMitigate the associated risks. Geogenic inferior groundwater, such as high-arsenic and high-fluoride groundwater has long affected human health, leading to arseniasis and fluorosis. Human activitiesHuman activity, such as industrial dischargesDischarge, the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the dischargeDischarge of untreated sewage, have resulted in excessive concentrations of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microorganisms in groundwater, contributing to various health issues such as neurological diseases and cancer. Furthermore, emerging contaminantsContaminants represented by microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to be identified. Safeguarding public health, which depends on groundwater, requires joint efforts in accurate sourcesSource identification and control, exposure reduction, rehabilitationRehabilitation, and toxicological assessment. Comprehending the links between groundwater qualityGroundwater quality and public health is essential for mitigating these risks.