SURVEY: 14 Million Americans Forgo Medical Appointments Following AI Health Guidance

Published April 21, 2026

A survey conducted by West Health and Gallup involving more than 5,500 adults revealed that one-quarter of Americans currently rely on AI tools to address health-related questions. Approximately 14 million people have chosen to skip healthcare appointments altogether after receiving advice from AI chatbots. Despite this trend, only 4% of respondents express strong confidence in the accuracy of AI-provided health information.

The primary topics Americans inquire about include nutrition, exercise, and physical symptoms.

Financial considerations are a significant factor influencing AI usage among lower-income individuals. Specifically, 32% of those earning less than $24,000 annually use AI health tools because they cannot afford to visit a doctor, in contrast to only 2% of individuals with higher incomes.

Among younger users, 69% research symptoms via AI before scheduling medical appointments, while 11% reported receiving AI suggestions that could be potentially unsafe.