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Abstract Background To explore the factors related to healthcare utilization (both inpatient and outpatient services) among foreign beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Korea. Participants The total foreign beneficiaries of the NHI in Korea 2022 were included (n = 1,386,329). Variables For the dependent variables, utilization and either hospital stays or count of visits were used. And the independent variables were selected guided by Andersen’s behavioral framework: predisposing characteristics (e.g., sex, age, nationality), enabling characteristics (e.g., insurance premium ranking, residency status, residency period, place of residency, beneficiary type), and need characteristics (e.g., disability, CCI, chronic diseases). Statistical models We conducted a two-part model analysis employing Andersen’s behavioral framework, using health insurance claims data from 2022. Results The results indicated that individual need characteristics, such as disability, CCI, and chronic diseases, had the most significant impact on total healthcare utilization and its associated costs. The next significant characteristic was the residence period; the longer the period, the higher the likelihood of healthcare utilization, but the lower the associated costs. Among the predisposing characteristics, individuals aged 65 years and older had the most significant impact on healthcare costs. Additionally, among the enabling characteristics, residency period, residency status, and beneficiary type were most significant. Conclusion Foreigners residing in Korea are eligible to use the Korean healthcare system by enrolling in NHI. As the foreign population is projected to grow even faster due to Korea’s aging society and low birth rate, this study can assist public health administrators in formulating evidence-based policies.

Objectives This study investigated the relationship between prescribing institutions and medication adherence among patients newly diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. Methods This study investigated patients with new prescriptions for hypertension and diabetes in Korea in 2019 with using data collected from general health screenings. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to explore the relationship between patients’ first prescribing institution and their medication adherence, defined as a medication possession ratio (MPR) over 80%. Results The overall adherence rates were 53.7% and 56.0% among patients with hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 13.2% for hypertension and 13.8% for diabetes (p

In this letter, magneto-dielectric (MD) material is proposed to reduce the antenna volume without significant performance degradation and mitigate the efficiency decrease by the human hand. The MD ceramic, which has small magnetic loss tangent around 0.1 or less at 2 GHz, is developed using hexagonal ferrites. This ceramic material is mixed with polymers to form the MD composites, which can be easily applied to the complex-shaped substrates of mobile antennas. Inverted-F antennas (IFAs) on the composites are simulated for studying of the antenna miniaturization and hand effects. Mobile antennas using the composites are manufactured by injection molding and plating processes. Then, the radiation efficiencies are measured with and without the hand phantom. The test results show that the MD composites are useful for miniaturizing antennas and reducing hand effects in the mobile phones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]