OpenAI has taken a decisive step in integrating artificial intelligence and health with the launch of ChatGPT Health, a platform that merges conversational AI, electronic health records, and wellness applications to empower patients and optimize medical work, all under strict privacy protocols. ChatGPT Health responds to the growing demand for personalized medical information: according to OpenAI, over 230 million people seek health and wellness information on the platform weekly. Data from January 2026 indicates that 5% of global messages on ChatGPT address health topics, equating to about 40 million daily users seeking medical guidance, a figure that is constantly increasing. The goal is to transform the patient into an active manager of their health, providing greater clarity and confidence before attending a consultation, although the real impact will depend on how it is used. The protection of sensitive data is one of the biggest challenges in the sector. OpenAI has created a separate Health section within the app, where conversations and medical files are stored separately from other chats. Additionally, the company assures that data from ChatGPT Health will not be used to train its main models, minimizing the risk of leaks. Security is reinforced with encryption in transit and at rest, and users can review or delete their medical data and manage permissions for external apps at any time. However, data could be handed over to authorities under court order or in emergencies. Although the platform is secure, OpenAI clarifies that HIPAA regulations do not apply to individual use, only in professional settings. After a security breach in March 2023, the company has strengthened encryption layers in the health section. The true strength of ChatGPT Health lies in centralizing dispersed information across portals, apps, and devices. It allows for the connection of electronic health records and wellness applications like Apple Health or MyFitnessPal, offering contextualized responses. In the U.S., OpenAI collaborates with b.well, a network connecting over 2.2 million healthcare providers, facilitating secure real-time data exchange. This integration enables the chatbot to interpret blood tests, suggest questions for the doctor, identify health patterns, provide personalized nutritional advice, and help compare health insurance based on user habits. It also includes tools for activities like hiking routes or workouts. It is estimated that between 1.6 and 1.9 million weekly messages are dedicated to comparing insurance, understanding prices, and managing coverage. 55% of adults using AI employ it for preliminary symptom checks, and 48% to clarify medical terms after consultations. For healthcare professionals, AI is an ally against burnout. In 2024, 66% of U.S. doctors used AI, up from 38% the previous year. Medical librarians lead weekly usage (53%), followed by nurses (46%) and pharmacists (41%). 72% of doctors believe AI enhances their diagnostic capabilities, and three out of four say it increases their efficiency by automating administrative tasks. Tools like OpenEvidence allow doctors, especially in rural areas, to access updated scientific answers. At Stanford University, the Clinical Mind AI project uses AI to create patient simulations, facilitating training in telemedicine without risk to real people. ChatGPT Health also aims to improve access in areas with limited services. In the "hospital deserts" of the U.S., where the nearest hospital is over 30 minutes away, nearly 600,000 weekly health messages are recorded, 70% outside business hours. States like Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota lead usage in these areas, where AI becomes the first point of contact. The development of ChatGPT Health involved collaboration with over 260 doctors from 60 countries, who evaluated 600,000 interactions to define rigorous clinical criteria. From this work emerged HealthBench, an evaluation system prioritizing safety, clarity, and appropriate referrals to professionals, avoiding alarmism. Despite the advancements, OpenAI emphasizes that ChatGPT Health does not diagnose or prescribe treatments but prepares and guides the user before the consultation. Safeguards have been implemented to avoid alarming responses and to refer to in-person resources in risk situations, especially in mental health. However, debates persist about the potential increase in anxiety or hypochondria in some users. The future use of data also raises ethical debates. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has suggested that it could be used for targeted advertising products, which requires oversight of privacy policies. Currently, the platform is in a testing phase in the U.S., Switzerland, and the UK, with global expansion planned. Experts warn that the success of ChatGPT Health will require updating health policies, proposing to connect global medical data under strict privacy, scaling robotic laboratories to turn AI findings into therapies, and urging the FDA to create a specific regulatory framework for AI medical devices.