The position was created in 1992 and originally held the healthcare portfolio of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The remainder of the ministry's portfolio was taken care of by the Minister of Social Affairs. From 2002 the position has been chief of its own ministry. The position has been held by eleven people from three parties. Bent Høie has held the position the longest, for a total of eight years.
Key
The following lists the minister, their party, date of assuming and leaving office, their tenure in years and days, and the cabinet they served in.