TL;DR
OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Health, a separate experience within ChatGPT that lets users connect medical records and wellness apps while adding layered privacy protections. The feature is meant to help people understand and manage health information and is being rolled out to a limited group via a waitlist.
What happened
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health, a new, compartmentalized area inside ChatGPT designed to combine users' personal health data with the assistant's conversational capability. The space allows secure connections to medical records and fitness or nutrition apps—examples cited include Apple Health, Function, MyFitnessPal and several others—so the assistant can reference users' own data when answering questions. Health operates with extra safeguards beyond ChatGPT’s baseline protections, such as dedicated storage, purpose-built encryption and isolation, and an assurance that Health conversations will not be used to train OpenAI’s foundation models. The product was developed with input from more than 260 practicing physicians across 60 countries and evaluated using a clinical-focused framework called HealthBench. Access starts with a small group via a waitlist; initial eligibility excludes users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the U.K., and some integrations are limited to the U.S.
Why it matters
- Aggregates dispersed health data so conversations can be personalized and context-aware.
- Adds layered protections and a separate storage space for sensitive medical information.
- Developed with clinician input and clinical evaluation metrics to prioritize safety and clarity.
- Signals growing use of generative AI for routine health navigation rather than formal diagnosis.
Key facts
- Health is a distinct space within ChatGPT with separate memories and isolated storage.
- Conversations and files in Health are not used to train OpenAI’s foundation models.
- OpenAI cites that over 230 million people globally ask health and wellness questions on ChatGPT every week (based on de-identified analysis).
- Users can connect medical records via a U.S. partner, b.well, and link wellness apps like Apple Health, Function, MyFitnessPal and others.
- Medical record integrations and some apps are initially available only in the U.S.; syncing Apple Health requires iOS.
- OpenAI worked with more than 260 physicians from 60 countries; clinicians provided over 600,000 feedback instances across 30 focus areas.
- Health responses are evaluated with HealthBench, a physician-informed assessment framework emphasizing safety, clarity and appropriate escalation.
- Existing ChatGPT privacy controls remain available, including options to delete chats and enable multi-factor authentication.
- OpenAI will start with a small group of early users and expand access via a waitlist; eligible plans include Free, Go, Plus and Pro outside certain regions.
What to watch next
- Planned expansion: OpenAI says it will broaden access to all users on web and iOS in the coming weeks.
- International availability of medical record integrations and wider app support: not confirmed in the source.
- Regulatory or healthcare-system partnerships beyond the initial U.S. integrations: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Medical records: Clinical documents and data maintained by healthcare providers that record diagnoses, lab results, visit summaries and treatment histories.
- Encryption: A method of encoding data so that only authorized parties can read it, used to protect information at rest and in transit.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): An security measure requiring two or more verification methods to access an account, such as a password plus a code sent to a device.
- Foundation model: A large, general-purpose machine learning model trained on broad data that can be adapted for many specific tasks.
Reader FAQ
Is ChatGPT Health meant to provide medical diagnoses or treatments?
No. The product is intended to support everyday questions and help users prepare for care, not to replace clinical diagnosis or treatment.
Will Health conversations be used to train OpenAI’s models?
No. Conversations within the Health space are not used to train the company’s foundation models.
How can I get access to ChatGPT Health?
You can join a waitlist; OpenAI is granting initial access to a limited set of early users and plans to expand over time.
Are medical record integrations available everywhere?
Medical record integrations and some apps are available in the U.S. only; wider global availability is not confirmed in the source.
January 7, 2026 Product Introducing ChatGPT Health A dedicated experience in ChatGPT designed for health and wellness. Join the waitlist (opens in a new window) 00:0002:31 Listen to article 10:16…
Sources
- ChatGPT Health
- OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect user medical …
- OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect medical …
- OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health
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