New York veterans agency sets virtual hair loss forum for Sept. 9

The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services will host a free Sept. 9 virtual Chat & Chew on hair loss, treatment options and support for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families. The event will cover medical causes, benefits and coverage questions, and resources for men and women affected by hair loss.

Why it matters: - Hair loss can affect confidence, emotional well-being and quality of life, not just appearance. - The issue may be especially relevant in the military community, where research has found alopecia diagnoses among active-duty Service Women and higher rates among Black and Hispanic Service Women. - The event is designed to help Veterans, Service Members and Military Families learn about options, benefits and support that may be available to them.

What happened: - The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services will host a free virtual Chat & Chew, “Hair Loss: Now What? Understanding Your Options & Finding Support for Men and Women,” on Sept. 9, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. - The program will take place via Webex. - Registration is free and available here. - DVS Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said the agency wants military and Veteran communities to ask questions, learn about available options and better understand resources and benefits.

The details: - The discussion will cover causes of hair loss and its impact on quality of life. - Topics will include male pattern baldness, hair-loss solutions for men and women, traditional wigs and men’s hair units. - The event will also address eligibility considerations for Veterans, accessing benefits, costs and coverage of qualifying hair-replacement options, and individualized support. - Dr. Lessie Branch, DVS Special Assistant for Community Engagement and a U.S. Navy Veteran, will moderate the conversation. - Bianca Lyder, founder of New Horizons Hair by Bianca Hair Restoration and Salon, will take part as the featured specialist. - Lyder has more than 30 years of experience helping men, women and children with hair thinning and hair loss. - Lyder has worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on medical wigs, men’s hair units and other hair-replacement options. - Lyder also provides free medical wigs and men’s hair-replacement units for qualifying Veterans with hair loss tied to alopecia, chemotherapy, stress, PTSD and depression. - The event agenda also includes discussion of additional resources and support.

Between the lines: - DVS is framing hair loss as a health and quality-of-life issue that can be hard to discuss openly. - The event combines personal support with practical guidance on benefits, which suggests the agency is trying to reduce barriers to care and information. - The research cited in the release signals that hair loss in the military may be underrecognized and may affect some groups disproportionately.

What the research showed: - A Military Medicine study of 498,219 active-duty Service Women found that 2.40% had been diagnosed with alopecia. - The study, “Free the Bun: Prevalence of Alopecia Among Active Duty Service Women, Fiscal Years 2010–2019,” said alopecia was likely underreported and discussed military grooming practices and traction alopecia. - The National Library of Medicine hosts the study here. - Defense Health Agency research found higher alopecia incidence rates among Black and Hispanic Service Women. - The same research found non-Hispanic Black female active-component Service Members were more than twice as likely to receive an alopecia diagnosis as non-Hispanic White female active-component Service Members.

What's next: - Veterans, Service Members, Military Families and others interested in hair loss support can register for the Sept. 9 event now. - DVS says attendees can also contact the department at 888-838-7697 or visit veterans.ny.gov for in-person or virtual help from an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor. - DVS said it will continue sharing services and support for New York’s Veterans, Service Members and Military Families.

The bottom line: - The Sept. 9 forum blends medical, emotional and benefits guidance around a topic that often goes unspoken in the military community.