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Addressing health inequalities in infection and antimicrobial resistant infections: a UK-wide collaborative toolkit

Sex

Resources for addressing sex-related health inequalities in antimicrobial resistance.

People may be disproportionately affected by drug‑resistant infections due to biological differences, gendered health‑seeking behaviours, and inequities in diagnosis and treatment pathways. These are factors that intersectional AMR research identifies as drivers of inequitable AMR exposure and outcomes.

Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Toolkit – ARC East Midlands

Summary

Toolkit to integrate equality considerations across the research lifecycle. Includes step‑by‑step guidance, templates, action planning and sources of evidence to support inclusive research practice.

Population: Sex 
Type: Toolkit 
Link: Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Toolkit – ARC East Midlands 
Year: 2025 
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No

Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT)

Summary

Framework and structured assessment tool to help organisations identify, assess and address health inequalities within services and programmes, incorporating equity considerations into planning, delivery and evaluation.

Population: Sex 
Type: Toolkit 
Link: Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT)
Year: 2024 
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No

Treating Your Infection – Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): TARGET TYI‑UTI Leaflet V23.5

Summary

Patient leaflet for non‑pregnant women under 65 with suspected lower UTI or recurrent UTI. Covers key symptoms, mimics (STIs and menopause), self‑care, safety‑netting, and when antibiotics are indicated to support antimicrobial stewardship.

Population: Sex: female 
Type: Leaflet 
Link: Treating Your Infection – Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): TARGET TYIUTI Leaflet V23.5 
Year: 2024 
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No

Visual Summary: UTI diagnostic flowchart (NICE October 2020 – TARGET version for women under 65)

Summary

Step‑by‑step diagnostic pathway for suspected lower UTI in women under 65: exclude vaginal and urethral causes, recognise sepsis and pyelonephritis, assess key symptoms, use dipsticks appropriately, decide on culture and immediate or back‑up antibiotics with safety‑netting.

Population: Sex: female 
Type: Flowchart 
Link: Visual Summary: UTI diagnostic flowchart (NICE October 2020 – TARGET version for women under 65) 
Year: 2020 
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No

Diagnosis of urinary tract infections: quick reference tools for primary care

Summary

Updated quick‑reference algorithms for women under 65, adults over 65, and catheter‑associated UTI. Clarifies dipstick use, culture criteria, red flags and stewardship actions aligned to NICE guidance.

Population: Sex: female 
Type: Guidelines 
Link: Diagnosis of urinary tract infections: quick reference tools for primary care 
Year: 2025 
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No

Encouraging participation in bowel screening – barriers, inequalities, and interventions

Summary

Evidence‑based review of common barriers (fear, misconceptions, practical and cleanliness concerns, low risk perception, forgetting, low health literacy and language barriers) and groups with lower participation. Includes the Bowel Grid tool to help target interventions.

Population: Sex: male 
Type: Online resource: guidance Link: Encouraging participation in bowel screening – barriers, inequalities, and interventions 
Year: 2025
Available in another language: No 
Login required: No