AI & Health: How People Are Using Chatbots for Medical Advice & What They Worry About

The increasing presence of artificial intelligence in daily life extends to healthcare, with a new KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll revealing that roughly a third of adults are now turning to AI tools for health information and advice. This figure, representing 32% of the population, places AI-driven sources on par with social media as places people seek health guidance, though still behind traditional avenues like healthcare providers and internet search engines – even acknowledging that many search results now incorporate AI-generated summaries.

Who is Seeking Health Information from AI?

The KFF poll highlights disparities in AI usage for health purposes. Younger adults, aged 18 to 29, are significantly more likely to utilize AI chatbots for both physical (36%) and mental health (28%) information compared to older demographics. This trend extends to racial and ethnic groups, with Black (21%) and Hispanic (19%) adults demonstrating a greater reliance on AI for mental health advice than White adults (12%). Uninsured adults also present a higher propensity to seek mental health support through AI (30%) compared to their insured counterparts (14%).

These patterns suggest that AI tools may be filling a gap for individuals facing barriers to traditional healthcare access. The poll indicates that a desire for quick and immediate advice is a primary driver for AI use, cited as a “major reason” by 65% of users. But, other significant motivations include proactively researching information before consulting a healthcare provider (41%), seeking privacy in exploring health concerns (36%), and, crucially, difficulty accessing or affording care. Nearly one in five AI health users (18%) report not having a regular healthcare provider or facing appointment challenges, a figure that rises to 38% among those aged 18-29. Similarly, 19% cite cost as a major barrier, increasing to 29% for younger adults and 32% for those with household incomes under $40,000.

How Are People Using AI for Health?

The poll details specific ways individuals are leveraging AI for health-related inquiries. For physical health concerns, the most common use is looking up symptoms or general information about health conditions (27%). Other applications include seeking explanations of medical tests and lab results (19%), understanding treatment options (19%), and gauging whether to seek professional medical attention (16%). For mental health, users are turning to AI to explore symptoms and general information (11%), uncover coping strategies (11%), compare treatment options (10%), or simply engage in conversational support (9%).

Interestingly, a substantial proportion of those who consult AI for health advice – 58% for physical health and 42% for mental health – subsequently follow up with a healthcare professional. However, younger adults are less likely to do so, with 21% of 18-29 year olds who used AI for physical health advice not seeking further medical consultation, double the rate of those aged 30 and older. This raises questions about the potential for AI to substitute, rather than supplement, traditional care for some populations.

Trust and Privacy Concerns

Despite the growing adoption of AI for health information, significant concerns remain regarding privacy and reliability. A large majority (77%) of the public expresses concern about the privacy of personal medical information shared with AI tools. This apprehension persists even among those who actively use AI for health purposes, with 65% voicing privacy concerns. Despite these worries, 41% of those who have used AI for health have uploaded personal medical information, such as test results or doctor’s notes, to these platforms, with the rate increasing to 19% among young adults.

Several technology companies, including Microsoft, have recently launched health-specific AI chatbots, promising personalized health tools. Some companies, like Anthropic, have stated that conversations with their health-specific AI tools won’t be used for training purposes, but public skepticism remains high.

The Role of AI-Generated Content in Broader Health Information Seeking

The KFF poll also touches on the broader exposure to AI-generated content, even among those not actively seeking it. Eight in ten adults report encountering AI-generated content at least several times a week, highlighting the pervasive influence of AI in the digital landscape. Given that many search engines now provide AI-generated summaries of search results, as reported by the New York Times, a significant portion of the public may be receiving AI-driven health information without consciously seeking it out.

While most users report satisfaction with the quality of responses received from AI tools (92% for physical health, 85% for mental health), trust levels vary. Among those who have used AI for health advice, 69% trust AI to provide reliable health information, and 62% trust it for mental health guidance. However, trust plummets among those who haven’t used AI, falling to 18% and 16% respectively.

Looking ahead, the KFF poll underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of AI’s impact on health information seeking and access. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of AI-driven health advice, particularly among vulnerable populations. Public health officials and healthcare providers will need to adapt to this evolving landscape, ensuring that individuals have access to accurate, reliable, and trustworthy health information, regardless of the source. The conversation around AI in healthcare must prioritize transparency, data privacy, and equitable access to care.

The findings from KFF also point to a need for continued evaluation of how AI tools are integrated into existing healthcare systems. As AI becomes more prevalent, it will be crucial to assess its impact on patient-provider relationships, healthcare costs, and overall health outcomes. KFF’s ongoing research on artificial intelligence will continue to track these developments and provide insights into the evolving role of AI in healthcare.