RESUMEN
The paper contains theoretical provisions and methods of information supply of public health programmes under conditions of the improvement of management and broadening of independence of local public health bodies. Emphasis is being placed on the role of fundamental studies in the formation of population's health and methods of multifactor analysis permitting to identify regional health problems and to substantiate priority measures. There is a discussion of the system of health indices and activities of public health bodies and institutions which are to be used in economic methods of management along with the evaluation of health programmes efficiency according to the ultimate results. Periodic probe investigations of health problems and the degree of population's satisfaction with health care contribute considerably to this practice. The materials of the complex study of population's health in connection with the 1989 census of the population in many respects meet these requirements and the paper provides ways for the organization and cooperation with the chairs of social hygiene while carrying out this large-scale study.