As AI tools aimed at boosting people’s health gain traction, ChatGPT is introducing new health-focused capabilities designed to help users better understand and manage their well-being.
OpenAI announced on Wednesday the launch of ChatGPT Health, a dedicated space within its ChatGPT platform that allows users to connect their health information, such as medical records and data from wellness apps like MyFitnessPal, to receive more personalised and contextual responses.
"ChatGPT Health is another step toward turning ChatGPT into a personal super-assistant that can support you with information and tools to achieve your goals across any part of your life," Fidji Simo, CEO of applications at OpenAI, wrote in a post on Substack.
Health is already one of the most common reasons people turn to ChatGPT. According to OpenAI, over 230 million people globally ask the chatbot health and wellness-related questions every week.
A separate space for sensitive health data
OpenAI said that ChatGPT Health will operate as a standalone experience within the AI platform. Health conversations, files, and connected apps are stored separately from users’ other chats and memories.
According to the company, health information and memories "never flow back into your non-Health chats," and users can view or delete Health memories at any time via settings.
A key feature of ChatGPT Health is the ability to connect different apps containing your personal health data, the company said.
"You can now securely connect medical records and wellness apps - like Apple Health, Function, and MyFitnessPal - so ChatGPT can help you understand recent test results, prepare for appointments with your doctor, get advice on how to approach your diet and workout routine, or understand the trade-offs of different insurance options based on your healthcare patterns,” OpenAI said.
Apps connected to Health require explicit user permission and undergo additional privacy and security reviews, OpenAI added.
Designed to support - not replace - doctors
OpenAI stressed that ChatGPT Health is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.
"Health is designed to support, not replace, medical care," the company said. "It helps you navigate everyday questions and understand patterns over time - not just moments of illness - so you can feel more informed and prepared for important medical conversations."
The tool was reportedly developed in close collaboration with physicians. Over the past two years, OpenAI said it worked with more than 260 physicians across 60 countries and dozens of specialties, who have provided feedback on model outputs more than 600,000 times.
Who is ChatGPT Health available to?
Access to ChatGPT Health is currently limited. OpenAI said it is starting with a small group of early users with ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus and Pro accounts, who can sign up for a waitlist to join the platform.
Notably excluded from the early rollout are users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, where local health and data regulations are more robust.
Medical record integrations and some apps will also only be available in the US, OpenAI said.
The company said it plans to make Health available to all users on web and iOS "in the coming weeks" as the experience is refined.
