What to know before asking an AI chatbot for health advice (be sure to get a second AI opinion)

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/chatbots-health-chatgpt-ai-claude-llm-1008892e0eb8ef4dbab4818beb15daef

What to know before asking an AI chatbot for health advice
By MATTHEW PERRONE
Updated 9:01 AM CST, March 2, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — With hundreds of millions of people turning to chatbots for advice, it was only a matter of time before tech companies began offering programs specifically designed to answer health questions.

In January, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health, a new version of its chatbot that the company says can analyze users’ medical records, wellness apps and wearable device data to answer health and medical questions. Currently, there’s a waiting list for the program. Anthropic, a rival AI company, offers similar features for some users of its Claude chatbot.

Both companies say their programs, known as large language models, aren’t a substitute for professional care and shouldn’t be used to diagnose medical conditions. Instead, they say the chatbots can summarize and explain complicated test results, help prepare for a doctor’s visit or analyze important health trends buried in medical records and app metrics.

Here are some things to consider before talking to a chatbot about your health:

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Click Exit if AI says you have prostate cancer and you are a woman

[Ms. Toad]

1. A bit insensitive.

One of the challenge for trans individuals is access to medical care for body parts which don't match their gender.

My high school sweetheart ran into this problem the first exam after she was legally recognized as a woman. Her insurance company refused to pay for screening for prostate cancer because she was a woman. In order to get it covered, her doctors office changed her gender back, without consulting her, and rather than clarify with the insurance company that she actually did have a prostate.

So yes, women can get prostate cancer - and it may be discovered too late because of the challenges of obtaining screening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. This.