After Millions Turn To ChatGPT For Health Advice, OpenAI Builds Separate Health Tool

Health questions already are a massive way that people use ChatGPT, and OpenAI is being open about the scale. They say more than 230 million people worldwide ask health and wellness questions on the service every week. That volume goes from diet advice to help understanding blood test results.

Until now, those conversations were there with work emails, holiday planning and random late night queries. OpenAI says that mix made it harder to protect sensitive information and harder for users to keep track of health related discussions over time.

ChatGPT Health has been built as a dedicated space within the platform. OpenAI describes it as a place where people can see patterns across their health data instead of jumping between portals, PDFs and apps. The tool is meant to support medical care rather than take over from doctors, and it does not diagnose or treat illness.

The company says Health is designed for everyday understanding. That includes preparing for appointments, making sense of lab results and keeping track of fitness or nutrition habits, rather than reacting only when something feels wrong.

How Does ChatGPT Health Keep Personal Information Contained?

OpenAI has put heavy emphasis on separation. Health lives in its own section of ChatGPT, with conversations, files and connected apps stored apart from all other chats. Health uses its own memory system, which means personal medical details do not spill into standard conversations.

The company says conversations inside Health are encrypted and isolated using protections built specifically for health data. Health chats and files are not used to train OpenAI’s foundation models, a point repeated throughout the launch material.

Users can see Health conversations in their chat history, though the underlying data stays inside the Health space. People can view or delete Health memories at any time through settings, giving them ongoing control.

OpenAI also says Health information never flows back into regular chats. Context can move one way if useful, such as lifestyle changes mentioned elsewhere, though sensitive health details stay locked inside Health.

What Kind Of Data Can People Connect To ChatGPT Health?

Health allows users to link medical records and wellness apps so responses reflect personal information rather than generic advice. Medical records are available in the United States only at launch and require users to be over 18.

OpenAI partners with b.well to connect medical records. The company describes b.well as the largest and most secure network of connected health data for US consumers. Data can include lab results, visit summaries and clinical history, depending on what sits in a person’s record.

Apple Health can also be connected through the iOS app. This allows Health to read movement, sleep and activity patterns that users choose to share. Apple Health syncing requires an iPhone and can take time for large histories.

Third party wellness apps cover areas such as workouts, nutrition, hiking routes and grocery ordering. These apps are switched off by default. OpenAI says each app must meet privacy and security rules and only collects the minimum data needed. Users can disconnect apps at any time, cutting off access immediately.

Who Brought About The System And Who Can Use It First?

OpenAI says ChatGPT Health was built with input from more than 260 physicians working across 60 countries. Over two years, the group reviewed model responses more than 600,000 times across 30 areas, helping guide tone, clarity and safety.

That work feeds into HealthBench, an assessment system based on how clinicians judge quality in real settings. OpenAI says this helps the tool explain lab results clearly, support appointment preparation and summarise care instructions without oversimplifying.

Access begins through a waitlist. OpenAI says early access is available to users on Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK. Medical records and certain app connections stay limited to the US for now.