1 in 3 Americans use AI for Health: Dallas, Houston among hotspots

DALLAS (KDAF) — A recent survey by wellness provider Drip Hydration reveals that Americans are increasingly turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT for medical advice, highlighting a shift in how people access healthcare information.

The survey shows that 35% of Americans have used AI to research health concerns, with younger demographics leading the trend. Among 16- to 34-year-olds, 47% have sought medical advice from AI, and men are more likely than women to use these tools for health questions.

The survey highlights several motivations for using AI in healthcare, including the need for faster answers, understanding medication side effects, and reducing anxiety while waiting for a diagnosis.

AI usage for medical questions is highest in cities with strong tech sectors and large, diverse populations. Phoenix tops the list, with nearly half (48.4%) of residents turning to AI tools for health-related inquiries. But Both Dallas and Houston are in the top 10, coming in at 7th and 8th, respectively.

Rank	City	AI usage for health questions in %
1	Phoenix, AZ	48.4%
2	San Francisco, CA	45%
3	Los Angeles, CA	43.8%
4	Memphis, TN	43.8%
5	Miami, FL	41.1%
6	Seattle, WA	40.4%
7	Dallas, TX	38%
8	Houston, TX	37.7%
9	Washington, D.C.	36.5%
10	New York City, NY	36.5%

The data indicates that 43% of respondents use AI to get faster answers, a priority for men and older adults. Additionally, 35% use AI to understand medication side effects, with younger adults showing a particular interest in this area. Furthermore, 31% of respondents turn to AI to alleviate anxiety while awaiting a diagnosis, with women more likely to seek emotional support from AI during uncertain times.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by CW33. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by CW33 staff before being published.