Between 35 and 43 million Americans have one or more conditions that result in a limitation of life activities. Major functional limitations of people with disabilities include restricted mobility, reduced sensory capacities, communication problems and intellectual deficits. The prevalence of Americans who experience activity limitation secondary to chronic illnesses or impairments has risen while mortality has declined. Nine million of these disabled Americans have limitations severe enough to prevent them from working, attending school, or maintaining a household. More than 2 million use wheelchairs for mobility.
Disability ranks as the nation's largest public health problem.
The growing numbers of Americans with disabilities present new challenges to the medical, social, and political arenas. The biomedical industry is one of the fastest growing high technology areas with significant potential economic impact both nationally and in the state of Colorado. The center's mission is to enhance the quality of human life while reducing health care cost through innovative research and education, leading to advances in biomedical devices and musculoskeletal systems. Integrating smart materials and MEMS technology based actuators to enhance mobility at both micro and macro levels. Develop backbone technologies for advancing biomedical devices through innovative research.