Why does AI still feel so dumb when it comes to health data?
Large language models can write code, draft contracts, even pass medical exams.
But the moment you upload your Apple Health export or a PDF lab report, the magic breaks.
It’s not that the model isn’t powerful. It’s that the data never really makes it in.
The problem with health data
Health data is messy.
- A lab report is a PDF with numbers but no structure.
- A genetic file is 20 MB of raw code — unreadable without preprocessing.
- A doctor’s note is half jargon, half shorthand.
On top of that, this is the most sensitive data you own. Privacy rules (HIPAA, GDPR, you name it) mean you can’t just paste it into a chatbot window.
So what happens? AI falls back on generic advice: “Try to exercise more. Get enough sleep. Eat balanced meals.” We’ve all seen that answer. It’s basically useless.
This is where MCP comes in
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is still new, and frankly, most developers haven’t touched it yet.
But the idea is simple: Instead of dumping raw files into a prompt, MCP sits in the middle — a structured, secure layer between your data and the AI. Think of it like this:
Without MCP → AI sees: “PDF text blob.”
With MCP → AI sees:
{
"data_type": "lab_report",
"metric": "Hemoglobin A1c",
"value": "6.1%",
"range": "4.0-5.6%",
"status": "elevated"
}
Suddenly the model has context. Suddenly its answers stop being generic and start being personal.
Why health needs MCP more than anyone else
Finance, ecommerce, logistics — they all have messy data. But in health, messy isn’t just inconvenient, it’s dangerous.
If AI gets a drug dosage wrong because it misread a unit? That’s not a typo. That’s harm. If AI ignores your genetic file because it couldn’t parse the format? That’s a missed opportunity for prevention.
Health data can’t just be “summarized.” It has to be preprocessed, secured, and contextualized before AI even sees it. That’s what a Health MCP does.
Theta Health MCP
At Theta, we’re betting that health will be the domain where MCP actually proves itself.
Why? Because the stakes are higher, the data is uglier, and the payoff is life-changing.
We don’t think of MCP as a niche protocol.
We think of it the same way OAuth once looked in its early days: something obscure, almost academic… until suddenly every app on the internet needed it.
AI without MCP is like a doctor with no patient records — smart, but blind. With MCP, AI can finally “see” you: your sleep, your labs, your history. Safely, securely, and in context. That’s why we believe MCP isn’t optional for health. It’s the missing layer.
Theta Wellness health blog 