OpenAI has officially unveiled a specialised new feature within its popular AI chatbot: ChatGPT Health. This dedicated space is crafted specifically to handle the vast number of health and wellness questions users ask every week.
What is ChatGPT Health?
Announcing the launch, OpenAI revealed that hundreds of millions of people already turn to ChatGPT each week with health-related inquiries. To make these interactions more useful and secure, the company created ChatGPT Health in close collaboration with physicians.
The core idea is to empower individuals to play a more active role in managing their well-being. The tool allows users to securely connect their medical records and popular wellness apps like Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Function. Once connected, the AI can help explain lab reports, summarise bloodwork before a doctor's appointment, and offer personalised diet or workout guidance based on the data.
OpenAI emphasises that ChatGPT Health is designed to support, not replace, care from licensed clinicians. It aims to help people make more informed decisions about their health.
Background: The Policy Update Confusion
This launch comes months after OpenAI found itself clarifying its stance on medical advice. In October last year, a post on X (formerly Twitter) by betting platform Kalshi claimed, "JUST IN: ChatGPT will no longer provide health or legal advice." Although the post was quickly deleted, it sparked widespread confusion among users.
OpenAI's head of health AI, Karan Singhal, promptly refuted the claim, stating "Not true." He clarified that model behaviour remained unchanged. To settle the matter, OpenAI released an updated usage policy on October 29. The new policy consolidated three separate documents into one universal set of rules.
The updated policy explicitly restricts the "provision of tailored advice that requires a license, such as legal or medical advice, without appropriate involvement by a licensed professional." OpenAI stated this change was meant to reflect a consistent policy across all its products and services.
How to Access ChatGPT Health
For users interested in trying the new feature, access is currently through a waitlist. Interested individuals must sign up to request access. Once granted, they can select the 'Health' option from the sidebar menu within ChatGPT.
Users can then bring their health data into the platform by uploading files directly or connecting from tools and apps via the "+" button or the "Apps" section in Settings. This integration is poised to make health and wellness conversations with AI more relevant and data-driven than ever before.
