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.