But for many women of color, coping is not always easy.

Women of color are more likely to suffer from stress-related heart illness than their counterparts. And, for Hispanic women, the combination of high stress, lack of social support and a genetic predisposition to cardiac-related illness can be deadly.

In an attempt to help Latinas improve their cardiovascular health, School of Medicine Professor Ellen Tedaldi, Associate Dean Sally Rosen and Boyer College of Music and Dance's Cheryl Dileo and Joke Bradt created Corazon, a music therapy program designed to assess the effects of music on cardiovascular health.

Sixty Latino women between the ages 35 and 65 will participate in the ongoing eight-week music therapy program with board-certified music therapist, Karen Dennery, at the Congreso, Latinos Unidos, a community-based non-profit organization located in North Philadelphia.

Research conducted over the past 20 years has provided considerable evidence that psychological and social factors can play a substantive role in the development and progression of coronary artery disease. Through music, movement, group song-writing, music improvisation and accessible health information, researchers hope to improve the cardiac health of Hispanic women.

“Anxiety, poor stress-coping skills, and lack of social support are known risk factors for cardiac disease, these will be the areas targeted in this pilot study. Our hypothesis is that changes in these areas can lead to changes in other health behaviors,” said Dileo, who is director of the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center.

Music has a direct effect on the heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, pain and anxiety of cardiac patient," said Bradt, assistant director of the AQLRC.

However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach; a consideration of gender and cultural factors is of utmost importance in designing and implementing music therapy interventions for this population, Bradt explains.

At the end of the session, participants will receive a CD containing music and suggestions for stress reduction.

“Music therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on the mind and body,” said Bradt. “Through music therapy sessions that use culturally-relevant approaches, we hope to help women learn to cope with their stress, develop an avenue for self-expression within a supportive environment, acquire information about healthy lifestyles and reduce their risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”

The interdisciplinary Arts and Quality of Life Research Center, established in 2004 within the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University, promotes research, training and innovative programs that demonstrate the unique role of the arts in making a difference in people’s lives.