OpenAI Rolls Out Health Feature for ChatGPT Users in the US
OpenAI has launched its new ‘Health’ feature for users of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT. The feature allows users to securely connect their health information and use it to inform conversations with the AI assistant. This marks a significant development in the integration of healthcare data into conversational AI systems.
The Health feature is currently available to logged-in US-based users aged 18 and older on web and iOS platforms, across all plans including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro. Users can access the feature by opening ChatGPT’s sidebar or More menu and selecting ‘Get started’.
According to OpenAI, more than 300 million people use ChatGPT each week with health-related questions, often scattered across patient portals, medical records, apps, and wearables. The new Health feature aims to provide a comprehensive view of users’ health information by allowing them to connect relevant data from various sources.
With the user’s permission, ChatGPT can draw on connected health information to help compare lab results with prior tests, summarize changes since their last appointment, or explore how sleep and activity relate to their routine. This can reduce the need for repeated gathering of details, making users feel more informed and empowered in managing their healthcare.
OpenAI has implemented layered privacy and security safeguards to protect connected health information. Conversations that use this data are not used to train its foundation models or target ads, regardless of the model-training setting chosen by the user. Connected medical records and Apple Health information receive additional encryption protections.
The company continues to improve its models behind health conversations in ChatGPT through dedicated training. GPT-5.6 Sol is OpenAI’s strongest model yet for handling complex health-related tasks, building on progress made with stronger performance on reasoning across details, clear communication, and careful judgment.
Physicians extensively tested the Health feature before release to measure real-world model performance and safety with connected health data. While these results represent meaningful progress, ChatGPT can still make mistakes and does not replace qualified medical professionals’ care and judgment. Users are encouraged to verify important information and discuss decisions with their healthcare provider.
The user has control over when ChatGPT uses the connected health information. By default, the AI assistant asks for permission before using this data to personalize a response. Users can approve each request or choose to always allow access, which turns off these permission prompts.
Health conversations are stored in the left sidebar of ChatGPT, where users can manage their accounts and review recent data and trends. Connected information may not be complete or current, so it’s essential for users to check important details against the original source.
When connecting health information, users should ensure that sharing is turned on with any wearable, fitness, or nutrition app linked to Apple Health. ChatGPT can use available information from these apps when allowed by the user.
Once connected, users can review conditions and medications, remove irrelevant data, and add details such as family health history. It’s crucial for users to tell ChatGPT about changes in their health status and verify important details against original sources.
The Health feature allows users to ask questions anywhere within ChatGPT, with the AI assistant using connected health information based on user permissions. Users can change these settings at any time in Settings > Plugins > Health or add @Health to a message to explicitly request health context.
OpenAI emphasizes that its primary goal is not to replace medical professionals but rather support users’ healthcare decisions by providing accurate and relevant information. The company continues to test safeguards through dedicated red-team exercises focused on connected information in the Health feature, using findings to strengthen protections.