Former Dean of the University, Professor Hsieh Hsien-Chen, recognized that rapid social change has profoundly transformed social structures, population demographics, patterns of disease, individual rights, and healthcare systems. As a result, traditional medical and public health systems are no longer sufficient to effectively address or prevent emerging health issues arising from these changes. He therefore advocated for the integration of biomedicine with the humanities and social sciences to respond to these challenges. Guided by this vision, the Center was established in November 1989 to study issues related to health and social policy development in the context of social change, with the goal of promoting public health and well-being.

With the support of successive university leaders, including former President Yu Hsing-Szu, and under the leadership of former Directors Associate Professor Chen Chiu-Wu, Professor Wen Jung-Kuang, Associate Professor Chen Cheng-Tsung, Associate Professor Chen Wu-Tsung, as well as Professor Lee Tsung-Pai, jointly appointed by the Department of Medical Sociology and Social Work (hereafter referred to as the Department), the Center has actively undertaken academic activities through close collaboration with faculty and students of the Department. Over the past thirty-seven years, the Center has earned widespread recognition and commendation from various sectors of society.