Cancer & Obesity: Understanding the Link | CDC
Navigating a broken link can be frustrating, especially when seeking health information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, a crucial resource for public health guidance, occasionally redirects users encountering outdated or moved pages. If you’ve landed on a CDC “Page Not Found” screen, here’s what’s happening and how to quickly access the information you need.
Automatic Redirection and Bookmark Updates
The CDC employs several automated systems to handle page moves. Depending on the nature of the change, you may be automatically redirected to the modern location within 10 seconds. The page will display a message indicating this impending redirection, and likewise provide a link for immediate access. However, the CDC also explicitly advises users to update any saved bookmarks, as the old links will no longer function correctly. This is a common practice across many large websites undergoing updates and reorganizations.
Understanding the Different “Page Not Found” Scenarios
The CDC’s “Page Not Found” page isn’t a one-size-fits-all message. The specific message displayed indicates why the page is unavailable and how to proceed. You’ll see three primary scenarios:
- The page has simply moved: This is the most common situation. The content still exists, but at a new web address. The redirection system aims to get you there automatically.
- Multiple matches were found: If the original link was ambiguous, the CDC may present a list of potential new locations. You’ll need to review the options to discover the most relevant information.
- The page has moved to the CDC archive: Older content, particularly reports or data sets that are no longer actively updated, is often moved to archive.cdc.gov. The “Page Not Found” message will direct you to this archive, with an option for automatic redirection.
Why Pages Move: A Look at Website Management
Website restructuring is a routine part of maintaining a large online presence like the CDC’s. Pages are moved for several reasons, including:
- Content reorganization: As the CDC’s priorities and areas of focus evolve, the website’s structure is updated to reflect these changes.
- Website redesigns: Major website overhauls often involve changes to URLs and page layouts.
- Content consolidation: Duplicate or overlapping content may be merged into a single, more comprehensive page.
- Technical updates: Changes to the underlying website technology can sometimes necessitate URL changes.
Similar redirection strategies are employed by other large organizations. For example, ServiceNow addresses the issue of broken links when transitioning between Service Portals, utilizing JavaScript Includes to manage redirects and minimize disruption for users with saved bookmarks. ServiceNow’s approach highlights the importance of a seamless user experience during platform migrations.
The Challenge of Bookmarks and Legacy Links
The CDC’s emphasis on updating bookmarks underscores a common challenge in the digital age: the persistence of old links. Bookmarks, saved URLs in documents, and links embedded in older websites can all become broken when the original page is moved. Virginia Tech’s Ensemble CMS provides a specific process for handling this, allowing administrators to convert old, unused pages into redirects to their new locations. This approach minimizes disruption for users who may still be accessing the site through those legacy links.
What to Do If Redirection Fails
While the CDC’s automatic redirection system is generally reliable, it’s not foolproof. If you’re not automatically redirected, or if the redirection leads to the wrong page, here are a few steps you can take:
- Use the CDC’s search function: Located prominently on the CDC website, the search bar allows you to find information by keyword.
- Navigate from the CDC homepage: Start at www.cdc.gov and browse the site’s main sections to locate the information you need.
- Check the CDC archive: If you’re looking for older content, visit archive.cdc.gov.
- Contact the CDC directly: If you’re unable to find the information you’re looking for, you can contact the CDC through their online contact form.
The Ongoing Process of Public Health Information Management
Maintaining an accurate and accessible online presence is a continuous process for public health agencies like the CDC. Website updates, content migrations, and redirection strategies are all part of ensuring that the public has access to the latest, most reliable health information. The CDC’s approach, while sometimes resulting in temporary “Page Not Found” errors, ultimately aims to improve the user experience and provide a more organized and efficient online resource. Remember to always prioritize official sources like the CDC website for health-related information and to verify the accuracy of any information you find online.