Human　face　detection　algorithm　is　combined　with　the　set　partitioning　in　hierarchical　trees　(SPIHT)　algorithm,　and　an　embedded　head-shoulder　image　coding　method　is　proposed.　The　human　face　detection　algorithm　is　employed　firstly　to　determine　human　face　region　in　a　head-shoulder　image.　The　human　face　region　mask　is　generated　and　the　wavelet　coefficients　in　the　human　face　region　mask　of　LL　subband　is　scaled　to　ensure　that　they　are　encoded　with　higher　priority.　Finally,　the　SPIHT　algorithm　is　implanted　to　encode　human　face　region　and　background　region,　The　experimental　results　show　that　the　reconstructed　quality　of　human　face　region　is　much　better　than　that　of　background　region.　At　the　same　time,　the　encoded　bitstream　is　fully　embedded　and　supports　progressive　transmission.