OpenAI Launches Health Assistant in ChatGPT — AI Medical Advice for Everyone
OpenAI has launched a Health feature in ChatGPT that provides medical advice and wellness recommendations. The feature is available to both free and paid users, with expanded access for subscribers.
OpenAI Launches Health Assistant in ChatGPT
On July 23, 2026, OpenAI officially launched "Health in ChatGPT" — a new health feature that provides users with medical advice, wellness tips, and personalized health information. This marks one of OpenAI's most significant entries into digital healthcare, offering AI-powered medical consultations to millions of users worldwide.
How It Works
Health Assistant in ChatGPT uses different models based on subscription tier. Paid subscribers get access to GPT-5.6 Sol, capable of analyzing complex medical queries and providing detailed recommendations. Free users receive responses from GPT-5.5 Instant, which offers shorter but still useful consultations. According to The Decoder, free users get noticeably shorter responses, part of OpenAI's strategy to encourage paid subscriptions.
Integrations and Capabilities
The feature integrates with Apple Health and Weight Watchers, allowing ChatGPT to access user data on physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and other health indicators. This enables personalized recommendations based on real user data, improving accuracy and usefulness of advice.
300 Million Weekly Queries
OpenAI reports over 300 million health-related queries weekly on ChatGPT. This massive number demonstrates that users were already using AI for medical advice before the official health feature launched. The launch could significantly transform telemedicine and make basic health consultations accessible to anyone with internet access.
Controversy and Criticism
The launch hasn't been without controversy. OpenAI representative Ashley Alexander claimed the feature is "better than clinician level," a statement later tempered by Karan Singhal. A Florida pastor filed a lawsuit against OpenAI after ChatGPT's advice allegedly endangered his health. Critics also question whether AI can truly replace professional medical consultation.
Privacy and Security
OpenAI emphasizes that health data is encrypted and not used for model training, addressing concerns about medical privacy. The company has implemented additional safeguards for health-related conversations, ensuring sensitive medical information remains protected.
Conclusion
OpenAI's Health in ChatGPT represents a significant step toward AI integration in healthcare, but raises important questions about medical information quality and AI's role in medicine. The feature is now available globally, bringing AI-powered health advice to millions.