How this fits in

Prescribing of antibiotics during childhood contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which is a major public health concern. This study linked rich cohort data to routinely collected primary care data to identify ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in childhood respiratory infections and amoxicillin prescribing. The study highlights that population-level interventions, including reducing household overcrowding and supporting hygiene measures in childcare settings, are required to reduce the need for antibiotic prescribing in young children, thereby supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts in primary care.