This exploratory study examines the relationship between state level public policy (measured by taxes & expenditures for public welfare, education, & health) & individual & family well-being (measured by teenage birthrates, infant deaths, & suicide rates) & factors that affect it e.g. age, gender, income distribution. Findings include: higher state expenditures for public welfare & education contribute to well-being as measured by lower state rates of suicide & teenage births. (GW)