Examines how traditional health beliefs and behaviors of Laotian refugees have changed after resettlement in the United States and compares these traditional and changing beliefs with those of other resettled Southeast Asian refugees. Data were gathered from interviews with Laotian refugees living in Franklin County, Ohio, and from utilization statistics provided by the local resettlement agencies serving Laotian as well as Cambodian and Vietnamese newcomers. Among the key findings were that Laotian refugees traditionally depended more on herbal remedies than other Chinese-derived therapies favored by Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees; however, herbs were little used in the U.S. because the Laotians considered Western prescription medicines more efficacious than their traditional remedies. In addition, Laotian refugees had the highest rates of use of hospital services, relatively high rates of clinic visits, and the highest rate of use of medical assistance than all other groups. A tentative explanation of the more persistent use of resettlement agency and other services by Laotian refugees can be found in their reliance on patrons employed in social and health service agencies: as Laotian compatriots, these patrons serve as culture brokers between their Laotian clients and their agencies and direct them to a range of services.
