Elizabeth Cohen

Elizabeth Cohen is a prominent figure in health journalism, serving as senior medical correspondent for CNN's Health, Medical and Wellness unit. Cohen reports on breaking medical news and health consumer stories for CNN and CNN.com. She holds a bachelor's degree in history from Columbia College and a master's degree in public health from Boston University. Cohen has received the outstanding alumna award from Columbia College and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University. Prior to her national career, she worked as associate producer of Green Watch, an environmental television program on WLVI in Boston, and as a reporter for States News Service in Washington, D.C.

Cohen joined CNN in 1991 and has since covered major health and medical stories, providing on-the-ground reporting from locations impacted by natural and man-made disasters. Her assignments have included coverage from Haiti after the earthquake, New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, Virginia Tech after the student shootings, and New York City in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. She also reported from Liberia during the Ebola outbreak. Cohen's reporting on Hurricane Katrina included stories about airlifts of premature babies from flooded neonatal intensive care units and coverage of displaced cancer patients, contributing to CNN's Peabody and Emmy Award-winning coverage.

In addition to her broadcast work, Cohen is an author and consumer health advocate. Her digital column, "The Empowered Patient," provides guidance on navigating the healthcare system, and her book, "The Empowered Patient: How to Get the Right Diagnosis, Buy the Cheapest Drugs, Beat Your Insurance Company, and Get the Best Medical Care Every Time," offers practical advice for patients. Cohen has been nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Series three times.

Cohen's journalism has been recognized with multiple industry honors. She is a three-time Gracie Award winner from the Alliance for Women in Media, and her work has been acknowledged by the Association of Health Care Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Research!America honored her for her impact on public opinion. Cohen received a Sigma Delta Chi Award and a National Headliner Award for A Lesson Before Dying, a feature on end-of-life medical decisions. She was recognized by the Newswomen's Club of New York and the New York Association of Black Journalists for African-Americans and Bone Marrow Transplants, and by the Mental Health America Media Awards for Perfection Obsession, a feature on a teen's experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Cohen frequently speaks on topics such as healthcare access, maternal mortality, public health communication, and patient advocacy. She shares insights from her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the importance of clear health communication and patient empowerment. Cohen is known for translating complex medical information into accessible guidance for broad audiences, contributing to public understanding of health and wellness.