Survey: 25% of Americans Use AI for Health Information, But Trust Remains Low
Key Takeaways
- ▸One in four Americans now uses AI for health information, primarily as a supplement to traditional healthcare rather than a replacement
- ▸Only 4% of AI health users strongly trust the accuracy of AI-generated health information, indicating significant confidence gaps
- ▸14 million adults have skipped doctor visits after using AI, highlighting potential risks of over-reliance on unverified health information
Summary
A new survey from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America reveals that 25% of Americans have used AI tools or chatbots for health information, with the majority employing AI as a supplementary resource rather than a replacement for professional medical care. The research, conducted among over 5,500 U.S. adults between October 2025 and December 2025, found that 59% of AI health users leverage the technology to research before doctor visits, while 56% use it to follow up after appointments. Notably, about 14 million adults report skipping provider visits after using AI, and smaller but significant populations turn to AI due to cost barriers (14%), access issues (16%), or feeling dismissed by providers (21%).
Despite widespread use, confidence in AI-generated health information remains limited, with only 4% of users strongly trusting its accuracy. However, nearly half of AI health users report feeling more confident in conversations with providers after using AI tools, and 22% say AI helped them identify health issues earlier. The most commonly used tools are general conversational AI systems like ChatGPT and Copilot (61%), followed by AI-powered search summaries from Google (55%). Age and income significantly influence usage patterns, with younger adults (69% of ages 18-29) more likely to use AI for self-directed research compared to older adults (43% of ages 65+), and lower-income households showing higher reliance on AI due to healthcare affordability challenges.
- Younger adults and lower-income populations are driving higher AI adoption for health purposes, suggesting disparities in healthcare access may be accelerating AI use
- Nearly half of AI health users report increased confidence in provider conversations, suggesting AI can complement rather than undermine clinical relationships
Editorial Opinion
While this survey demonstrates that AI has rapidly become an accessible health information tool for millions of Americans, the stark disconnect between usage rates and trust levels raises critical concerns. The fact that only 4% of users strongly trust AI-generated health information, yet 14 million have skipped medical visits after using AI, points to a dangerous confidence gap—people are making healthcare decisions based on information they fundamentally distrust. The research also reveals that cost and access barriers are driving vulnerable populations toward AI as a healthcare substitute, which could exacerbate health disparities without proper safeguards. AI companies and healthcare providers must urgently establish clear accuracy standards, implement warning systems about AI limitations, and ensure that AI supplements rather than supplants professional medical advice.
