Upon arrival in the U.S., many Hmong families relied on state welfare programs for support, including food assistance, housing, and healthcare. These programs were essential for the survival and initial integration of Hmong refugees, helping them establish a foothold in their new country.

The Hmong community's traditional beliefs about health and medicine sometimes clashed with Western medical practices. For example, traditional Hmong practices, such as shamanism, might not have been recognized or respected by mainstream healthcare providers. This cultural disconnect led to mistrust and reluctance to seek medical care, which affected overall health outcomes.

Traditionally, the Hmong people practice a form of animism, where they believe in the existence of spirits in nature and ancestors. Shamanism is a central component of this belief system. Shamans, known as "Txiv Neeb," play a crucial role in mediating between the physical and spiritual worlds. They perform rituals to heal the sick, communicate with ancestors, and protect the community from malevolent spirits.

Over the past several decades, especially since the Hmong resettlement in the United States following the Vietnam War, there has been a significant rise in the number of Hmong Christians, particularly among Hmong in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Christian missionaries have been active in Hmong communities, and many Hmong people have converted to Christianity, predominantly to Protestant denominations like Evangelicalism, as well as Catholicism.