OpenAI has announced a new feature, ChatGPT Health, as it revealed that around 230 million users ask the chatbot health-related questions every week, including an estimated 40 million Americans.
The new feature, unveiled on January 7, 2026, will introduce a dedicated space within ChatGPT for health-focused conversations. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Health is designed to make it easier for users to ask questions about symptoms, medical conditions, wellness, mental health, fitness, and navigating healthcare systems, while clearly distinguishing general information from professional medical advice.
OpenAI said the feature is expected to roll out globally in the coming weeks.
The company’s data underscores how central health has become to ChatGPT usage. OpenAI estimates that health-related queries now represent one of the platform’s most common use cases, with users seeking explanations of conditions, medication side effects, lifestyle guidance, and help understanding doctors’ instructions or medical test results.
In the United States alone, OpenAI says roughly 40 million people use ChatGPT for health-related purposes, reflecting growing reliance on AI tools to supplement traditional healthcare access, particularly amid rising costs, long wait times, and uneven access to medical professionals.
ChatGPT Health will reportedly include clearer health-specific prompts, improved responses trained with medical context, and prominent disclaimers encouraging users to consult qualified healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment. OpenAI emphasized that the tool is not intended to replace doctors but to help users better understand health information and ask more informed questions.
The rollout comes as AI companies face increasing scrutiny over the risks of misinformation in health and medical contexts. OpenAI said it has strengthened safety systems around health queries, including guardrails to avoid giving diagnoses, prescribing treatments, or offering emergency medical instructions.
The launch also reflects intensifying competition in AI-powered health tools. Major technology firms are racing to position AI as a front-line assistant for personal health management, while regulators and medical professionals debate how such tools should be governed.
By carving out a dedicated health experience, OpenAI is signaling that healthcare-related use is no longer peripheral to ChatGPT’s growth, but a core pillar of how hundreds of millions of people already interact with the platform.
