A comprehensive overview of major issues involved in educating the public about health, with emphasis on methods and approaches designed to foster community participation in health planning, is presented in this guide. It is intended to provide ideas for those engaged in health education program development with ideas for use in planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs. The guide starts with a presentation of reasons for placing high priority on health education. One chapter considers the need for policies on defining health education, involving many persons in decision making, and establishing a process and structure for planning. Most of the guide focuses on steps in the planning process as they relate to health education: defining problems, setting goals, designing plans, implementing plans, and evaluating programs. A health education program development scorecard pulls together the highlights of the guide in a form that can be used either as a checklist during program development or as a self-evaluation tool after completion of a plan or a program. Sources of assistance to health planning agencies are suggested, including staff, local and state organizations, regional resources, and national agencies; a list of references cited in all chapters is included. (TA)