ECHO recognizes that community involvement in research is important in eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. In 2004, ECHO, in partnership with the North Carolina Area Education Centers in the central and eastern regions of the state, established the UNC Centers for Community Research (CCR).

The Centers serve as a "meeting place" for researchers and community members to come together to identify the community's most pressing health needs, conduct research in an environment familiar to the community, and provide service to the communities who interact with UNC, as either a research partner or study participant.

• Foster mutual exchange of expertise and skills between minority communities and researchers at UNC Chapel Hill;
  
• Equip community members and researchers with the resources and knowledge needed to address health disparities present within their communities; and
  
• Facilitate and support research initiatives that address racial and ethnic health disparities at the community level;