Like a mantra, the importance of visiting a physician is something American women hear all the time. But, the reality of a faulty healthcare system coupled with social stigmas and fears of visiting a doctor often make the practice difficult for many Black women. In a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health, the Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health deemed this week National Women’s Health Week.

The initiative hopes to encourage women of all ethnicities to set time aside to get regular checkups and screenings. From planning wellness walks to researching family medical history, the initiative hopes to make physical health a top priority for women. And, those leery of visiting a physician are given tips to ensure their visits are positive ones. “I encourage all Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting women’s health and to promote awareness, prevention, and educational activities that improve the health of all women,” said President Barack Obama.