'health-skeptical' originates from English, combining the noun 'health' (Old English 'hælþ'/'hǣlþ' meaning 'wholeness, well-being') and the adjective 'skeptical' (via Greek 'skeptikos' through Latin/French), where 'skeptikos' meant 'inquisitive, reflective'.

'health' developed in English from Old English 'hælþ' meaning 'wholeness' and came to refer to physical and mental well-being; 'skeptical' entered English from Greek 'skeptikos' (via Latin 'scepticus' and French 'sceptique') and was used to describe an attitude of inquiry and doubt. The compound 'health-skeptical' is a modern English formation combining these elements to mean doubtful about health-related matters.

Individually, 'health' has consistently referred to well-being, while 'skeptical' originally stressed inquiry and reflection and has narrowed in modern use to emphasize doubt or disbelief; together the compound evolved to mean 'doubtful of health claims or advice.'