DVS’s Free September 9 Virtual Event Will Explore Hair Loss in Men and Women, Available Solutions, Veterans’ Benefits and Resources
ALBANY, NY, NY, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ALBANY, NY – The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) will host a special Chat & Chew virtual conversation “Hair Loss: Now What? Understanding Your Options & Finding Support for Men and Women” on September 9, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m.
Hair loss can be an intensely personal issue, affecting far more than appearance, and research has shown that it can disproportionately affect certain members of the Military community. A study published in Military Medicine examining 498,219 active-duty Service Women found that 2.40% had been diagnosed with alopecia, while more recent Defense Health Agency research identified significant disparities among Service Women, including higher rates of alopecia diagnoses among Black and Hispanic Service Women.
For some, hair loss can influence confidence, self-image, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. This special DVS Chat & Chew will create an open and informative setting for a personal conversation that is not always easy to have, while connecting Veterans, Service Members and Military Families with practical information, available options, potential benefits, and other resources.
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen, USMC, said: “Serving All Who Served means recognizing the full range of issues that can affect the health, confidence, and quality of life of Veterans and their families. Hair loss is a deeply personal experience for many people, and it deserves to be discussed with compassion, dignity, and accurate information. Through this Chat & Chew virtual conversation, we want members of the military and Veteran community to know that they can ask questions, learn about available options and better understand the resources and benefits that may be available to them.”
The free virtual program on September 9 will address causes of hair loss, its impact on quality of life, male pattern baldness, hair-loss solutions for both men and women, traditional wigs and men’s hair units, eligibility considerations for Veterans, accessing available benefits and other resources. Registration is FREE and Veterans, Service Members, Military Families, and others interested in learning more are encouraged to register now at: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r40216621c65bab82bb5cb08cdf11ba54.
The September 9 DVS-led virtual conversation will be moderated by Dr. Lessie Branch, DVS Special Assistant for Community Engagement, award-winning author, scholar, advocate, and U.S. Navy Veteran.
Dr. Lessie Branch said: “Our Chat & Chew series is designed to make room for conversations that matter, including those that may be deeply personal or not always easy to begin. Hair loss can carry physical, emotional, social, and financial impacts, and people may live with those concerns quietly for years. This discussion gives us an opportunity to bring the issue into the open in a respectful way, provide reliable information and help Veterans better understand the choices, benefits and resources that may be available to them.”
The program will feature Bianca Lyder, owner, and founder of New Horizons Hair by Bianca Hair Restoration and Salon and a Certified Hair Loss Specialist with more than 30 years of experience helping men, women and children experiencing hair thinning and hair loss. Ms. Lyder has extensive experience working with male and female Veterans and has worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide solutions including medical wigs, men’s hair units, and other hair-replacement options. She is also the widow of a Veteran and has made serving the Veteran community an important part of her work.
Bianca Lyder said: “Hair loss is personal, and every person who comes to me has a different story. Sometimes the most important first step is simply knowing that there are options and having someone you can talk to openly about what you are experiencing. I am grateful for the opportunity to join DVS, answer questions and help Veterans understand the solutions and benefits that may be available to them.”
Research has further highlighted the importance of greater awareness of hair loss within the Military community. The Military Medicine study, “Free the Bun: Prevalence of Alopecia Among Active Duty Service Women, Fiscal Years 2010–2019,” examined active-duty Service Women over a 10-year period and found that 2.40% had received an alopecia diagnosis. Researchers noted that alopecia was likely underreported in this population and discussed factors including military grooming practices and traction alopecia. The study is also available through the National Library of Medicine at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34244770/.
More recent research published by the Defense Health Agency also identified disparities in alopecia diagnoses among active-duty Service Women. The research found higher incidence rates among Black and Hispanic Service Women, with non-Hispanic Black female active-component Service Members more than twice as likely to receive an alopecia diagnosis as non-Hispanic White female active-component Service Members.
Topics scheduled for discussion during the September 9 DVS Chat & Chew virtual conversation include:
• Causes of hair loss
• Quality of life and living with hair loss
• Hair loss in men, including male pattern baldness
• Hair-loss solutions for men and women
• Traditional wigs versus men’s hair units
• Eligibility criteria for Veterans
• Accessing Veterans’ benefits
• Costs and coverage of qualifying hair-replacement options
• Additional resources and individualized support
Ms. Lyder also provides free medical wigs and men’s hair-replacement units for qualifying Veterans experiencing hair loss associated with conditions and circumstances including alopecia, chemotherapy, stress, PTSD, and depression.
DVS Chat & Chew: “Hair Loss: Now What? Understanding Your Options & Finding Support for Men and Women”
Virtual Conversation via Webex
September 9, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m.
Register now for this free DVS Chat & Chew at:
https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r40216621c65bab82bb5cb08cdf11ba54
About the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services:
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All Who Served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website – veterans.ny.gov – to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky Social.
Joshua Fitzpatrick
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services
+ +1 518-419-4206
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