Over the last three months, 8% of Americans first turned to AI for health information or advice

Key findings:

• In the last three months, 8% of Americans first turned to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude for health information, rising to 11% of Millennials, although search engines (24%) and healthcare professionals (22%) remain the leading first sources.
• Understanding symptoms (18%) and researching health conditions (18%) are the most common reasons Americans use AI tools for health-related activities.
• Over a third (37%) say AI's biggest advantage is being available at any time, while a third (33%) believe AI tools offer no advantages for seeking health information.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a part of how some Americans seek health information. While search engines and healthcare professionals remain the leading starting points, new YouGov Surveys data suggests standalone AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are emerging as a source of information and advice.

The survey explores where AI fits into Americans' health information journey, what people are using it for, and the advantages they believe it offers when seeking health information or advice.

Insight #1: While search remains the leading first stop, AI is emerging as a health information source for Americans

Search engines are the leading first stop for health information, with 24% of Americans saying they first turn to Google, Bing or another search engine when looking for health or wellbeing guidance.

Healthcare professionals follow closely at 22%, while 12% first use health websites such as WebMD or the Mayo Clinic. A further 12% say they first consult friends or family.

AI tools rank ahead of social media and online forums as an initial source of health information. Eight percent of Americans say they first turn to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude for health information or advice, compared with 5% who first use social media and 2% who first visit online forums or communities.

AI's role is particularly pronounced among younger adults. Eleven percent of Millennials say AI is their first source for health information, compared with 9% of Gen X, 8% of Gen Z, and 5% of Baby Boomers and older. By contrast, older Americans are much more likely to consult healthcare professionals first, with 32% of Baby Boomers+ doing so, versus just 11% of Gen Z.

Insight #2: Americans are using AI to better understand symptoms and health conditions

Among Americans who have used AI for health-related activities in the past three months, the most common reasons are understanding symptoms (18%) and researching a health condition (18%).

Around one in eight say they use AI to understand medical terminology (12%), understand medication side effects (12%), understand a diagnosis (11%), or interpret medical test results (11%). Another 11% use AI to find lifestyle advice related to exercise, sleep or habits.

Gen Z and Millennials are jointly the most likely to use AI to understand symptoms, at 21% each, while Gen Z and Gen X lead in using it to research a health condition, at 19% each.

Millennials lead across several more specific uses, including understanding medication side effects and a diagnosis (both 13%), finding lifestyle advice (17%), finding wellness advice (13%), preparing questions for a healthcare professional (12%), and understanding mental wellbeing topics (12%).

Gen Z are the most likely to use AI to understand medical terminology (14%), decide whether they need professional medical advice (14%), learn about over-the-counter treatments (11%), discuss sensitive or intimate health topics (11%), and track or manage health goals (11%).

Gen Z and Millennials are jointly most likely to use AI to understand nutrition and diet (14%) and learn about prescription treatments (11%). Millennials and Baby Boomers+ also jointly lead in using it to understand medical test results, at 12%.

Insight #3: Americans see AI's biggest advantage as being available whenever they need it

When asked what advantages AI offers for health information, 37% of Americans say its biggest benefit is that it is available at any time.

Cost is the next most commonly cited advantage, with 30% saying AI is free or low cost, while 23% believe it is faster than other sources.

Around one in five also value AI because it is easier to ask follow-up questions (22%), allows them to explore health topics privately (22%), is easier to understand (21%), or feels free from judgement (21%). One in five (20%) say AI provides responses tailored to their questions, while 19% believe it helps them prepare before speaking to a healthcare professional.

At the same time, a third (33%) of American adults say they do not think AI tools offer any advantages when seeking health information or advice, highlighting that while AI is becoming part of the health information journey for some, many remain unconvinced of its value.

Methodology:

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on July 15-17, 2026, with a nationally representative sample of 2,494 adults (aged 18+ years) in the US, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, race, gender, education, and region to be representative of all adults in the US (18 years or older), and reflect the latest population estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

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