Andrea Kitta

Andrea Kitta, an Associate Professor of Folklore at East Carolina University, dives into the intersection of contagion and folklore. She discusses the role of narratives in public health, arguing that storytelling is key to building trust. The conversation highlights the societal constructs of contagion, the stigmatization in patient-zero narratives, and the reflections of moral anxiety through vampires and zombies. Kitta also explores the implications of kiss-of-death legends and their gendered control, emphasizing the importance of vernacular beliefs in addressing contemporary health issues.

Andrea Kitta, an Associate Professor of Folklore at East Carolina University, dives into the rich intersection of folklore and public health. She discusses how narratives shape perceptions of disease, critiquing the failure of medical professionals to consider vernacular beliefs. The conversation explores stigmatized origins of 'patient zero,' the cultural implications of vampire and zombie metaphors, and the personal power of storytelling in healthcare. Kitta's insights reveal how folklore can illuminate complex social issues surrounding health and contagion.