North Carolina is very different today than it was just 10 years ago. With the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi and the fifth largest American Indian population in the nation (according to the 1990 census), its changing demographics have expanded its need to identify, intervene and help eliminate health disparities among its affected citizens. ECHO promotes education and training in the following ways:

• Certificate program in Interdisciplinary Health Disparities that prepares students and professionals with knowledge and skills to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.
• Seminars that cultivate the exchange of best practices, methods, and innovative health disparities research and practice.
• Training program support for undergraduate, graduate and professional students.