In 2004 ECHO partnered with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers in the central and eastern regions of the state to create the UNC Centers for Community Research. Encompassing thirteen counties; the UNC Centers for Community Research serve as a central place for community and university members, interested in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, to come together to generate mutually beneficial research. Shared interests, quality communication between partners and an understanding of community culture and strengths are at the core of the Centers.

As ECHO continues to build on its existing infrastructure, the program seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• Foster mutually beneficial exchanges of expertise and skills between minority communities and researchers at UNC
  
• Equip community members and researchers with the resources and knowledge needed to address health disparities/health concerns present within their communities
  
• Facilitate and support the conduct of research that addresses racial/ethnic disparities at the community level