By Smitha Mundasad
The report estimates that hepatitis infections and their complications led to 1.45m deaths in 2013 - despite the existence of vaccines and treatments.
World Health Organization data shows there were 1.2m AIDS-related deaths in 2014, while TB led to 1.5m deaths.
The WHO has put forward a global strategy to tackle hepatitis.
'Startling findings'
Researchers say these plans must be put into action urgently to tackle the crisis.
Viral hepatitis refers to five different forms of virus (known as A, B, C, D, E) - some can be spread through contact with infected bodily fluids and others (A and E) through contaminated food or water.
Most deaths worldwide are due to B and C, which can cause serious liver damage and predispose people to liver cancer. But because people don't always feel the symptoms of the initial infection, they can be unaware of the long-term damage until it is too late.
Scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Washington examined data from 183 countries, collected between 1990 and 2013.