iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
OpenAI has unveiled a new health-focused experience within ChatGPT that allows users to securely connect their medical records and wellness apps, as the company looks to meet growing demand for health-related information on its platform.
The San Francisco-based AI company said the new feature, called ChatGPT Health, was developed in close collaboration with more than 260 physicians practicing across 60 countries.
OpenAI said the goal is to help people better understand and manage their health while continuing to rely on medical professionals for care.
“You can securely connect medical records and wellness apps to ground conversations in your own health information, so responses are more relevant and useful to you. Designed in close collaboration with physicians, ChatGPT Health helps people take a more active role in understanding and managing their health and wellness — while supporting, not replacing, care from clinicians,” OpenAI said in a blog post.
The launch comes as health-related questions have become one of the most common uses of ChatGPT. OpenAI said more than 230 million people worldwide ask health and wellness questions on the platform every week.
At the same time, the company stressed that ChatGPT Health is not meant to function as a medical provider. “It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Instead, 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,” it said.
Through the new experience, users can securely connect medical records and wellness apps such as Apple Health, Function, and MyFitnessPal.
OpenAI said this can help people better understand test results, prepare for doctor appointments, get guidance on diet and workout routines, and weigh insurance options based on their personal health patterns.
The company also highlighted additional safeguards for sensitive health data. Users will be able to delete chats from OpenAI’s systems within 30 days, and the system has been trained not to retain personal information from user conversations. While chats and files are encrypted by default when stored, users can further protect access by enabling multi-factor authentication.
ChatGPT Health will initially be rolled out to a small group of early users as OpenAI continues to refine the feature. The company said users on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the U.K. are eligible.
In the coming weeks, OpenAI plans to expand access to all users on the web and iOS, though some medical record integrations and apps will be available only in the U.S., and connecting to Apple Health will require iOS.
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