Millions of people worldwide use ChatGPT to answer health-related questions, and in response, OpenAI has rolled out ChatGPT Health to provide us with more meaningful insights.
Many of us have long turned to digital tools to help us manage our health, whether it is something as simple as keeping track of our steps, or something as complex as the state of our psyche. In fact, the line between everyday wellness and technological support is so blurred that getting clarification for queries and concerns regarding our general wellbeing is already one of the biggest motivations behind our use of AI-powered programmes like ChatGPT.
And the recent introduction of ChatGPT Health expands the role it plays in our lives.
According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Health presents a dedicated, focused environment for health and wellness discussions. But what exactly differentiates it from the standard version most of us know?
The Capabilities of ChatGPT Health
ChatGPT Health lives in a separate space from the main ChatGPT platform, and through this space, users can connect their medical records and wellness apps like Apple Health, Function, and MyFitnessPal. These features make ChatGPT Health more powerful than the standard model in a few ways.
For instance, it can offer personalised health advice. ChatGPT answers medical queries as part of a general chat, based on information that is publicly available. But under ChatGPT Health, this information is supplemented with your health data and history to offer deeper insight into your wellbeing. Furthermore, it was built in collaboration with physicians from all around the world, with the intention of providing users with more evaluated responses.
Importantly, it also offers confidential discussions. A lot of the information we provide it with is sensitive, but since ChatGPT Health is in an isolated space, it can keep connected apps, files and discussions secure. This information will also be encrypted, giving it an additional layer of security.
What Can ChatGPT Health Help With?
ChatGPT Health is intended to aid users in several tasks, including:
- Understanding test results
- Preparing for doctor appointments
- Getting advice on diet and workout regimes
- Discerning trade-offs between different insurance options based on individual healthcare patterns
But even with its improved potential in helping us manage our health, it does carry over some of the limitations from the standard ChatGPT.
Important Caveats To Take Note of ChatGPT Health
An important point made by OpenAI is how ChatGPT Health “is not intended for diagnosis or treatment”. Its role is merely to inform and support users, not replace medical professionals.
Furthermore, while it is empowered by personal health data, leading to more accurate responses, AI systems still have a tendency to hallucinate, or create flawed or misleading interpretations. Users should always pair these AI-generated insights with professional judgement, rather than using them as substitutions.
Will You Try ChatGPT Health?
ChatGPT Health represents a profound shift in how everyday users can interact with their health data using AI. It can make our health information clearer, more contextualised, and more actionable, offering a holistic view of our wellness journey.
Yet, it cannot be emphasised enough that its role in our lives is confined to a supplementary tool. Regardless of its advanced capabilities, it cannot be a replacement for the nuanced expertise and personal touch offered by a licensed medical professional.
At the end of the day, the value offered depends on how responsibly we use it, and our understanding that it supports, not takes over, our wellbeing.
Currently, ChatGPT Health will only be open to a small group of users, though Singapore has been included in this limited initial rollout. If you would like to try it out, join the waitlist.
Read More
- Goodbye, Dr Google? Over 50% of Singaporeans Trust AI for Health Advice
- Can ChatGPT Be Your Therapist? Psychiatrists Explain
External References
- Marceau, A. (2025, September 24). Should You Use ChatGPT for Health Information? Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/chat-gpt-for-health-info
- OpenAI. (2026, January 7). Introducing ChatGPT Health. Retrieved from: https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-health/
- Reuters. (2026, January 8). OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect medical records, wellness apps. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/openai-launches-chatgpt-health-connect-medical-records-wellness-apps-2026-01-07/
- Yeo, R. (2026, January 9). OpenAI to roll out new ChatGPT health feature, with Singapore included in initial access. The Business Times. Retrieved from: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/openai-roll-out-new-chatgpt-health-feature-singapore-included-initial-access
