dr. raj, it seems like just about everybody i know has complained at one point in their lives about back pain. how common is it? >> it is incredibly common. you mentioned the statistic that 80% of people experience it. that's significant back pain but almost all of us really will experience some form of back pain in our live. >> so millions of people. >> absolutely. >> why do we suffer it? >> our backs really undergo so much stress. just sitting up right now our back muscle are working to keep us upright. often we get back pain because we overuse or put strain on our muscles. if we're not in good shape and suddenly lift something, we can strain it. even underuse, if you sit too much in one position you strain your vertebrae. >> usually it seems to be the lower back people complain about. >> vast majority of people. >> why? >> this area actually bears the brunt of our weight and our center of gravity and this does the most work in our back so it is more prone to injury. >> i had an injury myse

raj shah, the international development. prior to his confirmation as administrator he served for about six months as undersecretary of agriculture for research, education and economics and chief scientist. a medical drnomist by training, dr. shah previously spent seven years with the gates foundation, holding leadership positions in its agricultural development and global health programs. dr. shah, your entire statement will remain part of the record and we look forward to hearing your testimony. >> thank you. chairman berman, ranking member ros-lehtinen, members of the committee, i am honored to join me today in support of the president's fiscal year 2011 foreign operations budget request. in the interest of time please allow me to summarize the key points of my testimony and submit the full text for the record. as you know just days after my swearing in the people of haiti were struck by tragedy of almost unimaginable proportions. this past week week in chile suffered a devastating earthquake as well. our thoughts and prayers as are yours, or with the people are with the people of chile in haiti as we provide humanitarian relief and assistance. in the aftermath of the earthquake in haiti president