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Capitalism and Vector-Borne Disease with Brent Kaup and Kelly Austin

Episode 142 - September 17, 2025
Pathogens of Finance

Brent Kaup (William & Mary University) and Kelly Austin (Lehigh University) come on the podcast to discuss their new book connecting disease and capitalism. They begin by discussing the financialization of America and link it as a cause of climate change. Financialization is also linked to diseases and specifically vector borne diseases through the suburbanization of areas such as Virginia. In parallel, Brent and Kelly also examine financialization in the context of malaria in Uganda, and how the increased exploitation of coffee created an environment that is more conducive to mosquitos, which coincided with a deterioration of the public health system. At the end of the interview, Brent and Kelly discuss how to do co-authorship.

Our Guests

Brent Kaup

Professor of Sociology – William & Mary University

Brent Kaup


Kelly Austin

Professor of Sociology and Anthropology – Lehigh University

Kelly Austin