Planning, implementing, and evaluating an effective community health program requires a basic understanding of the dynamics and precedents that affect such programs. A community health program's general goal is to assist individuals and communities in identifying and meeting their health problems. In order to accomplish this goal the American Public Health Association has developed general objectives for future planning. Further, an understanding of the concept of basic human needs as it is related to community health programs is essential to a health program. The resolution of community health problems can be facilitated by understanding and dealing with the five processes (planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling) required for effective administration. Any program to be effective and efficient must be accountable for six program aspects: prevention, detection, appraisal, treatment, rehabilitation, and evaluation. With these program objectives, processes, and aspects in mind the eight procedures (establishing goals, clarifying goals, restating program goals in official written form, developing an action plan, establishing enabling objectives, collecting materials and resources, establishing evaluation criteria, and relating to program goals) should be utilized in implementing a health program that is relevant to human and community needs. With all these elements functioning properly health programs can expect success. (Author/BP)