Researchers looked at 22 studies from 2019-2024 to understand how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help people live healthier lives. Most AI tools were smartphone apps that helped people with diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and mental health. The good news? These AI apps showed positive results—people found them easy to use, they helped people feel more confident about their health choices, and they improved health measurements like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. However, researchers say we need more studies and better technology to make these tools work even better for everyone.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How artificial intelligence tools and apps help people make healthier choices and prevent diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity
  • Who participated: This review analyzed 22 research studies published between 2019 and 2024, mostly from the United States. The studies looked at AI apps designed to help people with diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and mental health
  • Key finding: AI-powered apps showed positive results across the board—people liked using them, they helped people feel more confident about making healthy choices, and they actually improved health measurements like blood pressure and blood sugar levels
  • What it means for you: If you’re interested in using technology to improve your health, AI apps may be a helpful tool. However, these tools work best when they’re designed with real people’s needs in mind, and more research is needed to understand which apps work best for different health goals

The Research Details

Researchers conducted what’s called a ‘rapid review,’ which is a faster way to look at recent research compared to traditional reviews. They searched two major medical databases (MEDLINE and CINAHL) for studies published between 2019 and 2024 about AI being used for health promotion and disease prevention. They started with 3,442 studies and carefully narrowed it down to 22 high-quality studies that met their criteria.

Two independent reviewers read through all the studies to make sure they were looking at the right information. They then organized the findings by looking at what the AI tools did, how they worked, and what results they achieved. The researchers focused on studies from wealthy countries (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development nations) to understand the current state of AI health technology.

Most of the AI tools studied were smartphone apps that used artificial intelligence to help people make better health choices. The researchers looked at how well these apps worked, whether people actually used them, and whether they led to real improvements in people’s health.

This research matters because chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major health problems worldwide, and many are caused by lifestyle choices. Understanding how AI can help people make better choices could help millions of people live healthier lives. By looking at recent studies, researchers can see what’s working now and what still needs improvement before these tools become widely available to everyone

This is a rapid review, which means it provides a quick overview of recent research but may not be as detailed as a traditional systematic review. The researchers did use careful methods to select studies and had two people independently review the research to reduce bias. However, because they only included 22 studies out of 3,442 screened, the findings represent a selective look at the most relevant recent research. The studies were mostly from the United States, so the findings may not apply equally to all countries

What the Results Show

The review found that AI-powered apps are being used mainly to help people with four health areas: eating better (45% of studies), quitting smoking (27%), exercising more (18%), and improving mental health (14%). A smaller number of studies looked at using AI to prevent specific diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Across all these different uses, the AI apps showed positive results in three important areas. First, people found the apps acceptable and easy to use—they actually wanted to keep using them. Second, the apps helped with behavioral outcomes, meaning people actually changed their habits. For example, people increased their daily step counts, felt more confident about making healthy choices, and reported better eating habits. Third, the apps led to real health improvements, including better blood sugar control and lower blood pressure readings.

Most of the AI tools studied were smartphone applications, which makes sense because most people carry phones with them everywhere. These apps used artificial intelligence to personalize recommendations, track progress, and provide feedback to users. The fact that positive results were found across different health topics suggests that AI technology has broad potential for helping people improve their health.

The researchers identified several important factors that made AI health apps more successful. Apps that were designed with input from the people who would actually use them (patients, doctors, and other health professionals) tended to work better. Apps that were technically sound and easy to navigate also had better results. The review also found that successful programs had adequate funding and resources to develop and maintain the technology properly

This review builds on earlier research showing that technology can help with health behavior change. What’s new here is the focus specifically on artificial intelligence and how it’s being used in recent years (2019-2024). The findings suggest that AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for health promotion, though the research is still relatively new and developing. The positive results align with what we know about technology-based health interventions in general, but AI’s ability to personalize recommendations and learn from user behavior appears to offer additional benefits

Several important limitations should be considered. First, most studies were from the United States, so the findings may not apply equally in other countries with different healthcare systems. Second, the review only included 22 studies out of thousands screened, so there may be important research that wasn’t included. Third, most studies looked at whether people liked the apps and used them, but fewer studies looked at long-term health improvements. Fourth, the quality of the studies varied, and some may have had design issues that affected their results. Finally, this is a rapid review, which means it’s a quicker overview than a traditional systematic review and may miss some important details

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, AI-powered health apps appear to be a promising tool for helping people make healthier choices and prevent disease (moderate confidence level). If you’re interested in using these apps, look for ones that are easy to use, provide personalized feedback, and help you track your progress. However, these apps work best when combined with support from healthcare providers and when they’re designed based on what real people actually need. More research is still needed to understand which apps work best for different people and health goals

Anyone interested in using technology to improve their health—whether that’s eating better, exercising more, quitting smoking, or managing stress—should know about these findings. Healthcare providers and policymakers should care because this research shows AI tools could help reduce the burden of chronic diseases. However, people without access to smartphones or reliable internet may not benefit from these tools yet, and more work is needed to make sure AI health apps are available and helpful for everyone, not just wealthy countries

Based on the studies reviewed, people who used AI health apps showed improvements in behavior and health measurements within weeks to months. For example, people increased their daily steps and improved blood sugar control relatively quickly. However, maintaining these changes long-term requires ongoing use of the apps and continued motivation. Most studies didn’t follow people for more than a few months, so we don’t know yet how long the benefits last after people stop using the apps

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track one specific health behavior daily using your app—such as daily step count, meals logged, or minutes of exercise—and review your progress weekly to see patterns and celebrate improvements
  • Choose one health goal (diet, exercise, smoking, or mental health) and use an AI-powered app designed for that goal. Start by setting a realistic target, use the app’s personalized recommendations, and log your activities daily to get the most benefit from the AI’s learning and feedback
  • Check in with your health measurements monthly (such as weight, blood pressure, or blood sugar if applicable) and compare them to your baseline. Use the app’s tracking features to monitor your daily behaviors, and adjust your goals based on what the app learns about what works best for you

This review summarizes research on AI health tools but is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new health program or using health apps, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications, consult with your healthcare provider. AI apps are tools to support healthy choices, not replacements for medical treatment. Results vary by individual, and not all AI health apps have been rigorously tested. Always verify that any health app you use is from a reputable source and has appropriate privacy protections for your personal health information.