While the history of racial bias in medicine dates back more than a century in the U.S., it’s only recently begun to be seen as a contributing factor to why the black maternal mortality rate is three to four times higher than that of white women.

Of the hundreds of doulas in Charlotte, only five to ten percent of them are Black. But as experts see a rise in the number of Black doulas across the country – could it help save more black mothers?

As we continue our special look at black maternal health during the national Black Maternal Health week, we recognized through poring over pages of research and talking to black mothers, birth advocates and doctors that there are areas of concern.

By comparison, black women are 22 percent more likely to die from heart disease, 71 percent more likely to perish from cervical cancer and a whopping 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth related causes than white women.

According to the proclamation, Mayor Vi Lyles has proclaimed April 11-17, 2019 as Black Maternal Health Week in the Queen City.

The point of the caucus is to raise awareness of the problem, start a national conversation and pass legislation to protect black mothers.