Good health is the result of such factors as sanitation, adequate housing and clothing, nutritional food, and a health delivery system which protects against contagious diseases by immunization, provides for early detection and treatment, provides health education to promote practices that will prevent diseases, and gives services in a culturally acceptable way. This report discusses American Indian problems in securing any of these health conditions. These problems are categorized into four levels: (1) the differences in the key health indexes between Indians and non-Indians and unique health problems which seem to affect Indians more often or severely than other populations; (2) specific health needs such as dental care, family planning, and an adequate diet; (3) making services accessible and acceptable by removing barriers of distance, culture, and poverty; and (4) basic problems of sanitation and housing. The extensive interaction of the various factors in each of these levels is discussed for reservation and off-reservation Indians. (NQ)