The 5th IEEE Biosignals and Biorobotics conference (ISSNIP) in 2014 will be held in Salvador, Brazil. The overall purpose and theme of this conference are to provide an opportunity for scientists from around the world, with special focus for scientists and clinicians from South America, to exchange notes and discuss research in signal processing, pattern recognition, electronics and computers for helping the disabled, the elderly, and people in special circumstances. It will allow electronic, biomedical and biosignal engineers the chance to interact with clinicians, rehabilitation engineers, rehabilitation nurses and paramedics. This conference aims at opening discussions and awareness regarding the important area of sustainability and humanity of healthcare devices. While the world population is aging, and resources are being depleted, the scaling costs of health care are a subject of concern. There is also the belief that sustainability, both financial and environment is an important factor that has yet to become a focus of discussions.