The Issue
Corticosteroids, whether topical, oral, inhaled or injectable, are prescribed across dermatology, allergy, immunology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, orthopedics, endocrinology, ophthalmology, gynecology and primary care.
Despite their clinical utility, several challenges undermine patient safety:
One
Adverse effects span multiple organ systems, including adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, ocular damage, mood disturbances, hyperglycemia and skin atrophy.
Two
Patients often receive overlapping prescriptions from multiple providers without centralized tracking or cumulative exposure assessment.
Three
There are no unified cross-specialty guidelines establishing exposure limits, monitoring standards, tapering protocols or risk mitigation strategies.
Four
Insurance policies frequently require steroid-first treatment, reinforcing repeated exposure before allowing access to non-steroid alternatives.
These gaps place patients at risk, even when corticosteroids are prescribed with appropriate clinical intent.
Stewardship is essential to protecting patients and modernizing care. As the therapeutic landscape evolves, the approach to steroid use must evolve with it.
Mission
To protect patients from avoidable steroid-related harm by advancing coordinated clinical standards, improving monitoring practices and reforming policy structures that incentivize overuse.
Vision
CSA envisions a health care system in which corticosteroids are prescribed within a unified stewardship framework, supported by cross-specialty guidance, aligned insurance policies and consistent patient protections that reduce preventable adverse events.
Stewardship does not seek to eliminate corticosteroid use. Rather, it seeks to minimize cumulative harm and ensure steroids are used when clinically necessary and appropriately monitored over time.
Alliance Members
CSA convenes a multisector coalition committed to advancing safer steroid use, including:
- National and local patient advocacy organizations
- Medical and specialty societies
- Allied health organizations
- Clinical researchers and safety experts
- Public health agencies
- Policy experts and health plans
Alliance members provide strategic insight, support consensus development and help drive implementation across specialties and care settings.
Staff & Leadership
The Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance is led by the Derma Care Access Network with support from Arcutis Biotherapeutics.
Killian Lozach
Development Director
Derma Care Access Network
Killian Lozach serves as Development Director for the Derma Care Access Network. In support of the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, he helps advance strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement and coalition growth. With experience spanning health care policy, advocacy, business development and coalition management, Killian works to build cross-sector collaboration that strengthens awareness, supports access and advances policy solutions around corticosteroid stewardship.
Hannah Krauss
Membership Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Hannah Krauss serves as Membership Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, where she leads stakeholder engagement and supports the Alliance’s policy and advocacy goals. Her work focuses on building and sustaining a strong network of partners committed to advancing corticosteroid stewardship, elevating patient safety and promoting more coordinated, thoughtful approaches to care.
Leah Grace Borders
Communications Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Leah Grace Borders serves as Communications Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance. She develops strategic communications materials that elevate the Alliance’s voice, sharpen its policy message and support its advocacy priorities. Through this work, Leah Grace helps ensure CSA’s efforts to keep patient safety, informed decision-making and the clinician-patient relationship at the center of the conversation
Nina Perez
Events Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Nina Perez serves as Events Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, where she oversees the development and execution of convenings that support the Alliance’s outreach and engagement efforts. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for connection, collaboration and dialogue among partners interested in corticosteroid stewardship. With a background in communications, Nina helps ensure CSA’s events are thoughtful, effective and aligned with the Alliance’s broader mission.
