OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, as a guide for user’s healthcare

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Health, a dedicated health-focused extension of ChatGPT that allows users to securely connect and review their medical records, lab results and wellness data through an AI-powered interface. The launch marks OpenAI’s most direct move into personal healthcare, positioning ChatGPT not just as an information tool, but as a personalised health assistant designed to help users better understand their own medical data.

The product arrives amid a surge in health-related use of AI. OpenAI says ChatGPT already handles more than 230 million health and wellness-related questions every week globally, ranging from symptom explanations to medication queries. ChatGPT Health is designed to add clinical context to those conversations by grounding responses in a user’s own records while stopping short of providing diagnoses or treatment decisions.

How ChatGPT Health works and what users can do

ChatGPT Health introduces a separate, encrypted health workspace within the ChatGPT app. Users can choose to upload or connect medical records such as lab reports, prescriptions, imaging summaries and visit notes, as well as data from wellness platforms including Apple Health, MyFitnessPal and Function Health.

Once linked, the AI can analyse trends, explain test results in plain language, summarise medical histories and help users prepare questions for doctor appointments.

OpenAI says the system is designed to support everyday health management tasks: tracking cholesterol or blood sugar over time, understanding abnormal lab values, organising medical documents and clarifying insurance or billing terminology.

Importantly, access is entirely opt-in, and health conversations remain isolated from standard ChatGPT chats. The company states that health data is not used to train its AI models and can be deleted by users at any time.

At launch, ChatGPT Health is being rolled out gradually across ChatGPT Free and paid plans, with some medical record integrations initially limited to the United States due to healthcare data infrastructure requirements. Wider international availability is expected in phases.

Medical oversight, safeguards and system design

OpenAI says ChatGPT Health was developed with input from more than 260 doctors across 60 countries, reflecting growing collaboration between AI developers and clinicians. The company stresses that the tool is not a medical device, does not provide diagnoses, and is explicitly designed to encourage users to consult qualified healthcare professionals for clinical decisions.

To address the sensitivity of medical information, ChatGPT Health applies stronger encryption and access controls than general-purpose AI chats. Health data is stored in a segregated environment, and users can review exactly what information the AI can access.

Responses are designed to include clear disclaimers, especially when users ask about symptoms, medications or serious conditions, reinforcing that the AI offers informational support rather than medical judgement.

Privacy concerns and debate

The launch has already sparked debate among healthcare experts and privacy advocates. Supporters argue that ChatGPT Health could help close long-standing gaps in health literacy, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions or navigating complex medical systems.

Critics, however, caution that even with safeguards, AI platforms sit outside traditional healthcare regulation and may not be subject to the same legal protections as hospitals or clinics.

OpenAI acknowledges these concerns and says it expects ongoing scrutiny as the product evolves. The company describes ChatGPT Health as an early step toward consumer-controlled health AI, where individuals, not institutions decide how their data is used. As adoption grows, regulators and healthcare providers are likely to play a greater role in shaping how such tools are governed.

Looking ahead

For now, ChatGPT Health represents a significant shift in how AI intersects with personal medicine, moving from generic advice to context-aware assistance. Whether it becomes a routine part of healthcare management will depend not only on its technical performance, but on public trust in how responsibly sensitive health data is handled.

Looking ahead, the evolution of ChatGPT Health is likely to be shaped as much by regulation and partnerships as by technology. As governments worldwide tighten oversight of digital health tools and data-sharing practices, OpenAI may need to work more closely with regulators, insurers and healthcare providers to define clear boundaries for AI-assisted care.