Key Takeaways
- With the recent surge of consumer artificial intelligence (AI) tools and chatbots, KFF’s latest Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust reveals that approximately one-third (32%) of adults are seeking health information and advice from these AI systems. This includes nearly three in ten (29%) who reported using AI tools over the past year for physical health information, and around one in six (16%) who sought mental health advice. The use of AI is comparable to the proportion of individuals who turn to social media for health information, though it still trails behind those who consult healthcare providers and internet search engines (which may include AI-generated content, even if it’s not explicitly sought).
- Younger adults, uninsured individuals, Black adults, and Hispanic adults are more inclined to utilize AI chatbots for mental health guidance. About three in ten (28%) individuals aged 18 to 29 have sought AI assistance for mental health information within the past year, compared to around one in five (18%) among those aged 30 to 49, and about one in ten among adults aged 50 and older. Uninsured adults are also more likely to rely on AI for mental health information (30% vs. 14% for those insured), with Black (21%) and Hispanic (19%) adults showing higher usage compared to their White counterparts (12%).
- The primary motivations for using AI for health information include the need for prompt advice, with 65% citing this as a major reason. Many also mentioned wanting to gather information before consulting a healthcare provider (41%), or feeling more at ease researching health topics privately (36%). Additionally, challenges in accessing or affording healthcare drive some individuals, particularly younger and lower-income users, to rely on AI. Approximately one in five AI users indicated that lack of a healthcare provider or appointment availability was a significant factor in their AI use, escalating to 38% among users aged 18 to 29. Moreover, about one in five noted that financial constraints were a key reason, rising to 29% among those aged 18 to 29 and 32% among individuals earning below $40,000 annually.
- Despite a majority (77%) expressing concern over the privacy of personal medical information provided to AI tools, around four in ten (41%) of those who have utilized AI for health inquiries (representing 13% of all adults) admitted to uploading personal medical information into an AI tool or chatbot.
AI Use for Health Information and Advice
KFF’s latest Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust indicates that artificial intelligence has become an integral part of many Americans’ lives, with several technology companies recently introducing health-specific chatbots. This marks a growing trend of individuals turning to these tools for health-related insights.
Overall, four in ten (39%) adults report using AI tools several times a week, with eight in ten encountering AI-generated content at least weekly, even if not actively searching for it.
Approximately one-third (32%) of adults claim to seek physical or mental health advice from AI chatbots—almost matching social media as a health information source. However, it remains less prevalent compared to consultations with healthcare providers (80%) or internet search engines (68%). Among those using AI for health inquiries, around three in ten (29%) sought physical health advice, while one in six (16%) sought mental health guidance in the previous year. As many search engines now feature AI-generated summaries, many users may be inadvertently accessing AI-derived health information.
AI tools for health information are particularly popular among younger adults. More than one-third (36%) of those aged 18 to 29 have turned to AI chatbots for physical health queries in the last year, while about three in ten (28%) have sought guidance on mental health or emotional wellbeing. Young adults are at least three times more likely than individuals aged 50 and older to utilize AI for mental health advice (28% vs. 8%).
A higher proportion of uninsured adults, Black adults, and Hispanic adults report using AI for mental health support compared to insured adults and White adults, respectively. However, usage for physical health advice shows no significant racial or socioeconomic differences.
Individuals seek AI assistance for health information in various ways, most commonly for inquiries regarding general health conditions or symptoms. Approximately a quarter (27%) have utilized AI for physical health questions in search of symptoms or general health condition information. Additionally, around one in five accessed AI to explain medical tests, lab results, or diagnoses (19%), or to understand and compare treatment options (19%). About one in six (16%) sought help deciding whether to consult a healthcare provider.
Conversely, about one in ten adults utilized AI for mental health or emotional wellbeing information within the past year, primarily to seek general information about mental health conditions (11%), gain coping skills for mental health challenges (11%), or understand treatment options (10%). Others engaged with AI to discuss personal mental health concerns, like conversing with a companion (9%). Seven percent sought AI assistance to determine whether to pursue professional mental health care.
Approximately six in ten (58%) adults who used AI for physical health advice in the past year subsequently followed up with a healthcare provider, while around four in ten (42%) of those who consulted AI for mental health issues followed up with a mental health professional.
Overall, younger adults are more likely than older individuals to report consulting AI for health information and not following up with a doctor. About one in five (21%) adults aged 18 to 29, who are more likely to use AI for health inquiries, stated they did not follow up with a doctor after seeking physical health advice—double the proportion of those aged 30 and older. Similarly, around one in six (16%) adults aged 18 to 29 reported not following up with a mental health professional after consulting AI, more than twice the rate of older adults (aged 50 and above).
Reasons for Using AI for Health Information and Advice
Among the 32% of adults who have utilized AI tools or chatbots for health information in the past year, the predominant reason cited (by 65% of users) is the need for quick or immediate support. Additionally, a significant number mentioned wanting to gather information before making a healthcare decision (41%), feeling more comfortable exploring health issues privately (36%), or receiving medical test results prior to discussing them with a provider (28%).
Some users noted that they turned to AI due to barriers in accessing or affording healthcare. About one in five reported that being unable to afford a provider’s service (19%) or the lack of a regular healthcare provider or appointment availability (18%) were major reasons for relying on AI.
While 18% of AI users argue that the information they receive is as reliable as that from a healthcare provider, a significant majority (65%) consider this a minor motivation for their AI usage.
While the desire for immediate information remains the primary reason for AI use across demographics, younger adults and those with lower incomes are more likely to cite barriers to accessing or affording healthcare. Among AI users, adults under 30 are six times more likely than those aged 50 and older to cite not having a regular healthcare provider or appointment availability as a major factor (38% vs. 6%). Similarly, they are more than twice as likely to attribute their usage to being unable to afford a provider (29% vs. 12%). Among adults with annual incomes below $40,000 who have utilized AI for health advice, one-third (32%) indicated that financial constraints were a significant reason for their usage, while one in four cited not having a regular healthcare provider.
Notably, younger adults tend to have lower insurance coverage rates and lower annual incomes compared to older adults.
Trust and Satisfaction in AI for Health Information and Advice
Among adults who utilized AI for health advice in the past year, most reported being at least “somewhat satisfied” with the quality of responses received for physical health (92%) and mental health (85%). However, only a modest percentage indicated that they were “very satisfied” (19% for physical health and 27% for mental health).
A significant portion of adults who sought AI advice concerning their physical (69%) and mental health (62%) indicated they trust AI tools “a great deal” or “a fair amount” to provide reliable health information. However, overall public trust in AI for health information remains relatively low, especially among those who haven’t engaged with these tools. Among those who have not utilized AI for physical health advice, trust drops to about one in five (18%), while for mental health guidance, only about one in six (16%) express confidence in AI tools.
Privacy Concerns and Uploading Personal Medical Data to AI
Recently, several major technology firms have launched dedicated AI health products designed as personalized tools for users to connect and upload their medical records. Despite widespread concerns about the privacy of personal medical data shared with AI chatbots, many users still report uploading this information.
Among the 32% of adults who have used AI for health inquiries in the past year, approximately four in ten (41%) have uploaded personal medical information such as test results or doctor’s notes. This equates to 13% of all adults claiming to have entered personal medical data into an AI tool for health-related advice, rising to about one in five (19%) among those aged 18 to 29.
While AI chatbots are often trained on user interactions, some companies assure that conversations with health-specific AI tools won’t be used for training. Nevertheless, a significant majority, including many AI users, express concerns about the privacy of their personal health information shared with AI tools. Approximately three in four (77%) adults report being “very” or “somewhat” worried about the privacy of their personal medical data, with similar levels of concern across different age groups.
Even among those who have uploaded personal medical information into an AI tool, the majority (65%) express privacy concerns, although only a quarter describe themselves as “very concerned.”
In conclusion, while the increasing use of AI tools for health information is notable, it raises important questions regarding privacy, trust, and reliance on technology in healthcare decisions. As consumers navigate the complexities of personal health information in an AI-driven landscape, understanding these dynamics will be vital for making informed decisions regarding their health.
