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One in Four Americans Now Using AI for Health Advice, Poll Finds
Americans increasingly turn to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for health information, according to a new West Health-Gallup Center poll. Approximately 25% of U.S. adults reported using AI for health advice within a 30-day period, reflecting a significant shift in how people access medical information.
“I’ll just basically let ChatGPT know my status, how I’m feeling,” said Tiffany Davis, a 42-year-old from Mesquite, Texas. “I use it for anything that I’m experiencing.” Davis typically consults AI before scheduling medical appointments to determine if her concerns warrant professional attention.
Dr. Karandeep Singh, chief health AI officer at the University of California San Diego Health, describes these tools as an evolution of traditional internet health searches. “Instead of someone having to comb through the top 10, 20, 30 links in a web search, they can now have an executive summary,” Singh explained.
The poll, conducted in late 2025, found that approximately 70% of users turn to AI for quick answers, additional information, or out of curiosity. Many use it both before seeing a doctor and after appointments to better understand medical information.
Rakesia Wilson, a 39-year-old assistant principal from Alabama who sometimes works 70-hour weeks, recently used AI to interpret lab results after visiting an endocrinologist. She regularly consults ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to determine whether she needs to take time off for a doctor’s appointment. “I just don’t necessarily have the time if it’s something that I feel is minor,” Wilson said.
Despite the growing popularity of AI health tools, traditional medical care remains the primary source of health information. About 80% of U.S. adults have consulted a healthcare professional for health information in the past year, compared to roughly 30% who used AI tools, according to a late February KFF poll. A separate Pew Research Center survey from October found similar results, with about 20% of adults saying they get health information from AI chatbots at least sometimes, while 85% still rely on healthcare providers.
However, the polls suggest that some Americans turn to AI due to healthcare access challenges. The Gallup study revealed that approximately 40% of AI users sought help outside normal business hours, while about 30% wanted to avoid paying for a doctor’s visit. Roughly 20% lacked time for appointments, had previously felt dismissed by providers, or were embarrassed to discuss certain issues in person.
The KFF survey highlighted that younger adults and lower-income individuals were more likely to use AI tools because they couldn’t afford healthcare or faced access barriers. This trend emerges as federal policies and market factors continue to drive up health costs and create obstacles to care nationwide.
Trust in AI-generated health information remains divided. The Gallup poll found that about one-third of recent AI health users trust the accuracy of information from these tools, while an equal proportion distrusts it, and another third remain neutral.
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, appreciates when patients arrive with “more evolved questions” after AI research but cautions that AI should complement, not replace, medical care. “It is an assistant but not an expert, and that’s why physicians need to be involved in that care,” he emphasized.
Privacy concerns are also significant, with the KFF poll indicating that about three-quarters of U.S. adults worry about the privacy of personal health information provided to AI tools. Dr. Singh noted that most AI platforms offer settings to prevent personal data from being used to train future models, but these require user vigilance.
A privacy breach last summer highlighted these risks when internet users discovered private ChatGPT conversations indexed on a public website without users’ knowledge.
Some, like Tamara Ruppart, a 47-year-old director from Los Angeles with a family history of breast cancer, avoid AI for health advice altogether. With medical professionals in her family, she considers AI too risky for serious health matters. “Health care is something that’s pretty serious,” she said. “And if it’s wrong, you could really hurt yourself.”
As AI tools continue to evolve, their role in healthcare information will likely expand, presenting both opportunities for increased access and challenges regarding accuracy, privacy, and the appropriate integration with professional medical care.
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20 Comments
The rise in Americans using AI for health advice is a concerning trend. These systems may provide quick information, but they lack the nuance and expertise of trained medical professionals. I hope people don’t over-rely on AI and still prioritize seeing qualified doctors.
Agreed. While AI can be a useful starting point, it should not be a substitute for in-person medical evaluation and treatment. Users need to approach these tools with caution and skepticism.
The rise of AI-powered health advice is a significant shift in how people manage their wellbeing. While convenient, I hope robust safeguards are in place to ensure these tools provide accurate, trustworthy information and don’t lead users astray. Quality medical guidance from qualified professionals remains essential.
The rise of AI-powered health advice is an interesting development, but I share the concerns about accuracy and reliability. While these tools can provide helpful initial information, it’s critical that users verify any diagnoses or treatment recommendations with qualified medical professionals. Safety should be the top priority.
The poll results highlight an important shift in how people are accessing health information. While AI can be convenient, I hope users are also consulting their doctors and not solely relying on these tools for serious medical concerns.
Good point. AI should complement, not replace, professional medical care. Users need to be discerning about the quality and reliability of the health advice they receive from AI systems.
The increasing reliance on AI for health advice is a concerning trend. While these tools can be convenient, they may not always provide accurate or comprehensive information. I hope people continue to prioritize professional medical care and use AI only as a supplementary resource.
Well said. AI should complement, not replace, the expertise of qualified healthcare providers. Users need to be cautious about fully trusting these systems, especially for complex or sensitive medical issues.
The growing popularity of AI health advice is a bit concerning. While it may provide quick answers, I worry about the potential for misdiagnosis or overlooking critical issues that require professional medical attention. Maintaining a healthy skepticism and verifying information with qualified providers seems prudent.
The rise in Americans using AI for health advice is concerning. While these tools can provide quick information, they lack the nuanced understanding and expertise of qualified healthcare providers. I hope people don’t over-rely on AI and continue to prioritize in-person medical consultations.
Well said. AI-powered health advice should be viewed as a supplementary resource, not a replacement for professional medical care. Users need to be cautious and maintain a critical eye when using these systems, especially for serious health concerns.
This is an interesting development, but I have some reservations about the widespread use of AI for health advice. These systems may not have the full context and expertise to properly diagnose and treat medical issues. I hope people supplement AI with visits to qualified healthcare providers.
That’s a valid concern. AI can provide quick information, but lacks the nuanced understanding that comes from human medical training and experience. It’s critical that users don’t over-rely on these tools for serious health matters.
It’s understandable why people would turn to AI for health advice – it’s fast, convenient, and often free. However, I hope users recognize the limitations of these systems and don’t treat them as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Maintaining a healthy balance is key.
Using AI for initial health research is a clever idea, but I’d be cautious about relying on it too heavily. The technology may be advanced, but a real doctor’s expertise and personalized care still seem irreplaceable when it comes to complex medical issues. Interesting trend to watch unfold.
Interesting to see how AI is transforming how people access health information. It makes sense that many would turn to AI tools for quick answers and additional context before visiting a doctor. I wonder how accurate and reliable these AI health advisors are, and if they could potentially lead to misdiagnoses or missed critical issues.
Interesting to see the growing reliance on AI for health advice. While it can provide quick information, I’m curious how accurate and reliable these AI systems are when it comes to medical issues. It’s important that people don’t blindly trust AI and still consult qualified healthcare professionals.
I agree. AI can be a helpful tool, but shouldn’t replace professional medical advice. It’s crucial that users understand the limitations and potential biases of these systems.
It’s interesting to see the growing popularity of AI-powered health advice, but I have some reservations about this trend. These systems may not have the depth of knowledge and context that trained medical professionals do. I hope people use AI cautiously and still prioritize in-person consultations.
Absolutely. AI can be a helpful starting point, but should not be a substitute for professional medical care. Users need to be discerning about the reliability and limitations of these systems when it comes to their health.