Since 19 April 2024 the position has been held by Jan Christian Vestre of the Labour Party.

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.

Bent Høie has held the position the longest, for a total of eight years.

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.