Category: Wellness history

Dr. Halbert L. Dunn, often called the “father of the wellness movement,” introduced the term wellness and pioneered its modern understanding. A lesser-known fact is that his foundational work set the stage for how we perceive personal health and well-being today, moving beyond the simple absence of illness to a proactive pursuit of optimal living.

While the concept of holistic health dates back to ancient civilizations, modern wellness was formally defined in the mid-20th century. So, who were the founders of wellness? A core group of physicians and thinkers championed the idea of high-level wellness, shifting the focus from treating illness to maximizing potential.