Jon Cohen
Senior Correspondent for Science; Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Vaccines, Public Health, and Genomics Expert
- Specializes in biomedicine and is widely known for his coverage of epidemics, immunology, vaccines, and global health
- Won a national Emmy for his work on two, multi-part series on the PBS NewsHour that focused on efforts to end the AIDS epidemic
- Has reported extensively on genetics, primate research, evolution, bioterrorism, research funding, ethics, reproductive biology, credit battles, and the media itself
Check fees and availability for Jon Cohen
About Jon Cohen
Download ProfileJon Cohen is a widely published magazine writer and author of four nonfiction books on scientific topics. Cohen is a senior correspondent with Science, and also has written for the New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, the New York Times Magazine, BuzzFeed, Smithsonian, Technology Review, Outside, Slate, Surfer, and many other publications. His television appearances include the PBS NewsHour, the TODAY Show, and the Larry King Show, and he also has been on several NPR and BBC radio shows. Cohen specializes in biomedicine and is widely known for his coverage of epidemics (HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Ebola, influenza), immunology, vaccines, and global health. He also has reported extensively on genetics, primate research, evolution, bioterrorism, research funding, ethics, reproductive biology, credit battles, and the media itself.
Cohen’s books have covered a wide range of topics for a lay audience, including the search for an AIDS vaccine, the science of miscarriage, the scientific differences between humans and chimpanzees, and a critical analysis of Tijuana, Mexico’s faltering response to its HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Cohen has coordinated and appeared in two, multi-part series on the PBS NewsHour that focused on efforts to end the AIDS epidemic – winning a national Emmy for this work. His print stories have received awards from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the National Association of Science Writers, the American Society for Microbiology, the American Society for Tropic Medicine and Hygiene, the Treatment Action Group, the Pan American Health Organization, the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, and the National Institute of Healthcare Management.
Cohen earned a B.A. in science writing from the University of California, San Diego (1981), and lives in Cardiff, California.
Video Gallery
Young People Make Up More Than Quarter of New U.S HIV Cases
KFF Washington Notebook – Jon Cohen
Young People Make Up More Than Quarter of New U.S HIV Cases
KFF Washington Notebook – Jon Cohen
Speech Topics
Download TopicsOn January 10, researchers described the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Within hours, the race for a COVID-19 vaccine began. As the pandemic shut down countries around the world and the death toll steadily climbed, governments, industry, nonprofits and the World Health Organization collectively launched the most aggressive, well-funded R&D vaccine project in history. An astonishing 11 months later, the first vaccine crossed the finish line with a startling high efficacy of 95%. Unlike the search for an AIDS vaccine, in which researchers have taken shots in the dark for 35 years and still have no product on the market, the COVID-19 vaccine effort has been an astonishing success, and now the challenges are how to manufacture and distribute enough product for everyone in the world who wants immune protection from this virus.
In this talk, Cohen provides an in-depth look at how the modern world has been impacted by current events and explores the intersection of disease, politics, economics, and human rights at large.
After covering the HIV/AIDS epidemic in more than 50 countries for 30 years, Jon Cohen shares his experience witnessing one of the most remarkable medical success stories of our times—and one of the most frustrating failures to fully use the tools at end-to-end suffering because of stigma, discrimination, and indifference about the most affected communities.
In this speech, Cohen tackles powerful questions around vaccinations like: Why do we have vaccines against some diseases and not others? What do they contain? Why do I need boosters for some but not others?
Big Ideas in 24 Hours
Our veteran team is standing by to help with big ideas and real perspective. Call us at (855) 827-9635, email us at [email protected], or click below for a custom speaker proposal.
Similar Speakers
Alex George
TV Doctor, Author, and Government Mental Health Ambassador
LAI Exclusive
Candice Mama
Global Resilience Expert & Culture Transformation Leader
Chad E. Foster
First blind executive to complete the Harvard Leadership Program, creator of software Silicon Valley thought impossible, blind Black Diamond Skier and Author of Blind Ambition
Jayne Kennedy
Trailblazing NFL Broadcaster & Award-Winning Actress
Justin Wren
Humanitarian, Author, MMA Fighter, Mental Health Advocate, and Non-Profit CEO/Founder
Kimberly Wilson
Nutrition Psychologist, Author & Media Personality
Eboni Williams
Best-Selling Author, National Television Host, & Attorney
Marcus Whitney
Co-Founder and Minority Owner of MLS team, Nashville Soccer Club; Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors
Damon West
Inspirational Change Agent, Best Selling Author, Philanthropist and College Professor
